A Walk for Purpose by TIMIR BANERJEE , MD
I thought and thought as to why we are often violent
In our words and deeds I couldn ’ t find an answer
So I sat next to Moses and was petting him and my mind was elsewhere
Then Elvis came close and was snorting
He interrupted the feeling of contentment Moses was having
So at first he barked and then he followed up with a bite on Elvis ’ s back
I yelled at Moses and sprayed some Blue Kote on Elvis ’ s back .
His skin is thick so there was no blood .
I believe that violence is always from lack of tolerance We want others to do What we want .
Weltschmerz is the best description of my feelings of distraught
I am weary of killing of all sorts
I am not naive to think of constant brotherhood among all men
But we must elect leaders who are men
Not just by gender but by deeds to be examples to our children .
So I march thinking that at least one among us would be the light
That children will pick in their fight For peace and compromise And not to self aggrandize
And learn to be accepting of adversity and disagreements as part of life
That cannot be resolved by strife But by avoiding being reckless Or by using the weapon of useless vituperation Instead by choosing joyful jubilation of our differences Definitely not by calling others with monikers
But by accepting the challenge with thoughtful resolve and aplomb
Cause there will be someone more successful and smarter than I , always .
Dr . Banerjee is a clinical professor of neurosurgery at the University of Louisville .
20 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE