I have seen courage
in the quiet corners of rooms
in the way someone held their own hand
when the world felt like it might fall apart
in the soft, trembling words
that carried more weight than shouts
in the moments they could have turned away
but stayed
I have held courage too
folded into my chest like a fragile bird
afraid it might break
yet insisting on flight
I took the harder path
not for praise or for eyes to notice
but because something whispered
this is what must be done
Courage does not always roar
sometimes it breathes
soft and steady
in the small acts no one records
in the silence after tears
in the quiet decision to rise
again
I recognize it in myself
in the way I linger in discomfort
in the truths I cannot hide
in others when they move through fear
without a spotlight
without a word of thanks
It glows like stubborn light
always burning
even when no one is watching
When No One Is Watching
This poem reflects my understanding of courage as something often quiet and unseen. It explores both the courage I have witnessed in others and the courage I have found within myself in moments of vulnerability and difficult choices. While acts of bravery are often celebrated when public, I wanted to highlight the small, personal moments of persistence, honesty, and resilience that shape who we are, especially in the context of caring for others. These everyday acts of courage, though private, carry profound weight and can inspire both empathy and action.
Bio:
Emily Midea is a high school student with a strong interest in the health professions and a passion for exploring the human side of medicine through writing. She reflects on the emotional and personal experiences that shape both caregivers and those they care for.