This is the second poem in our series of poetry by Dr. Zackary Berger. You can read his first poem, Detachment, at the link here.

Ritual

What is the name for the

nothingness you descend into

in that moment before you take a seat

say your name

& that you are here to help?

All the knowledge and standardized

testing

merely a breakable vessel

absorbing the suffering of

the one before you