Takeaway
Attend to the “blue note” of trauma and sadness in patients because this is so pervasive. Consider reminding them that life is full of ups and downs and also the “yellow of hope.”
Creative arts in medicine | February 25, 2026 | <1 min read
By Frank Clark, MD, Prisma Health-Upstate, South Carolina
Yellow
We need . . .
Joy to detect sadness
so that love can comfort
the mourning, sitting
in darkness, muted
by the trumpet of
trauma whose blue note
lingers and sets the
tone for most evenings
in search of hope
that shines and
sings like the
mindful melodic flute,
expressing that a
new day has come
for happiness
and passion to take flight
like a yellow canary,
creative and free
My poem, “Yellow,” was inspired by a fascination with colors, birds, and their symbolisms. As a physician who is an imperfect healer as well as introspective patient, the yellow canary represents the optimism that humanity seeks even when our health conditions are like pendulums swinging between remission and recurrence. It is the symbolic creature that sits on our sometimes-burdened shoulders, reminding us to make space for vulnerability and levity during every encounter. It is the benevolent sign that encourages growth and passion throughout our messy and miraculous lives.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.