--- title: "Alive: A poem by Dr. Leila Zadeh" description: "In this poem titled \"Alive,\" Dr. Leila Zadeh writes about the emotions and worry triggered by a global pandemic." image: https://pages.ada.org/hubfs/Covid%20Monograph/CM_Zadeh_square.jpg --- [![American Dental Association](https://pages.ada.org/hs-fs/hubfs/101520_ADA_logo.jpg?width=50&height=50&name=101520_ADA_logo.jpg) ](https://www.ada.org) [![American Dental Association](https://pages.ada.org/hs-fs/hubfs/101520_ADA_logo.jpg?width=50&height=50&name=101520_ADA_logo.jpg) ](https://www.ada.org) ** ## In It Together A community sourced archive, documenting COVID-19’s impact on dentistry ***Sponsored by [Patterson Dental](https://www.pattersondental.com/)*** #### Many in the dental community have been affected by COVID-19 and want to share their stories. As a result, the ADA is launching the JADA+ COVID-19 Monograph—a digital collection of stories, reflections, and accounts from any perspective, in any format, including articles, essays, podcasts, videos, graphics, and photos—that is open to all contributors. [Submit your COVID-19 story here.](https://pages.ada.org/jada-plus-monograph-submissions) Stories by Region [Outside the US ](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/outside-the-us) --- # Alive: A poem by Dr. Leila Zadeh ![CM_Zadeh_1](https://pages.ada.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Covid%20Monograph/CM_Zadeh_1.jpg?width=697&name=CM_Zadeh_1.jpg)   I am awake. My tumultuous thoughts echo eternally in the innermost crevices of my weary mind. We have been a captive audience to the political and social oscillations of our time, precariously swinging over an abyss of uncertainty in real time, while the unfamiliarity and fear of “what might be” render us equal parts numb, excitable, and tense. Each night, the relentless friction of this nauseating cacophony of worries slowly and deliberately chars my essence raw despite my desperate attempts to quench the embers. A raging pandemic. Families separated. How could I ever sleep? And yet, hope remains. A glimmering, glowing energy slowly emanates from within, buzzing confidently, pulsing defiantly in spite of our global, aching soul. We realize that we have the power to prevent any divisions within from becoming any divisions without. The metallic tang of fatigue keeps me company as I rock myself back and forth to the unrelenting beat of restlessness. Yet while I am exhausted, I have a purpose. To choose Love over Hate. And Hope over Fear. I am awake. __________ **Dr. Leila Zadeh** (November 2020) *Stock Photo Credit: Mike Ramierez/EyeEm/Getty Images* Topics: [Region–West](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/region-west), [Creative writing](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/creative-writing) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Stories by type - [Practitioners (58)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/practitioners) - [Personal Essay (35)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/personal-essay) - [Region–Northeast (23)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/region-northeast) - [Region–West (22)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/region-west) - [Clinical Observations (17)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/clinical-observations) - [Region–South (16)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/region-south) - [Region–Midwest (12)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/region-midwest) - [Art and Photography (10)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/art-and-photography) - [Multimedia (8)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/multimedia) - [Students (8)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/students) - [Creative writing (6)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/creative-writing) - [Patients (4)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/patients) - [Region–Outside the US (3)](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/tag/region-outside-the-us) [See all](https://pages.ada.org/en/covidmonograph/alive#) ### Most Viewed Stories ***Sponsored by: [![CM_Sponsor_Patterson_2](https://pages.ada.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Covid%20Monograph/CM_Sponsor_Patterson_2.png?width=250&name=CM_Sponsor_Patterson_2.png)](https://www.pattersondental.com/)***   ### Subscribe for updates [![JADA+_logo_rev](https://pages.ada.org/hs-fs/hubfs/JADA+_logo_rev.png?width=200&height=80&name=JADA+_logo_rev.png "JADA+_logo_rev")](https://pages.ada.org/) Contact us at [JADA@ada.org](mailto:JADA@ada.org) Visit the [ADA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Center for Dentists](https://success.ada.org/en/practice-management/patients/infectious-diseases-2019-novel-coronavirus?utm_source=hspage&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=CovidMonograph)   --- *The JADA+ COVID-19 Monograph intends no endorsement of the content of the entries, or the views or opinions of the authors that are expressed therein. 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