Member Appreciation: Nidhi Shanmugam
See how Nidhi spreads her wings with Phoenix in this poetry special.
Flight of a Hatchling
Inside the shell of suburban life
Guarded in the nest my father built
-Twig by twig-
I knew that flying would lead to guilt
But clipped wings trigger the soul to wilt
So with timid steps we moved ahead
The shock of Cal sent waves in my chest
-Lub-dub-lub-dub-
All around it was clear we are best
Yet, lost in the crowd, I was stressed
Out of my nest
“Where is my flock? Who will I become?”
My interest in healthcare is real
Walking through Sproul, there was much to feel
-tears of fear and cheer-
A crimson tent was the first appeal
And a sweet Phoenix pitch sealed the deal
Next came the flutter of my feathers
-flwwflwwflww- (flitter)
Warm welcome as one of Phoenix’s own
Venturing off into an unknown
With care and acceptance always shown
Has ensured… I have grown
From clients to HealthEngine
Causes ease to get involved within
-biotech, business, research-
Learn to have thick skin
Keep high your chin
Celebrate the small win
Never fear to begin
Birds of a feather flock together
Each adds to the beauty of the group
Phoenix is never held in a coop
A brighter future is for us to scoop
-Whoop! Whoop!-
*Narrative Poem
Fiat Lux
Fire will consume.
But at last, a Phoenix will
Rise from the ashes.
*Haiku
Precious Project People
A newbie who is my other antibody half
Our PM whose inner light shines
The guitarist who steals street signs
And a boxer who enjoys wines
An elite decker obsessed with a financial graph
Plus, a principal who can make everybody laugh
Because of these people the good times never fell flat
With the bar now raised as high as Abe Lincoln’s top hat
*Modified Limerick
Phoenix Feathers
From large-scale companies to start-ups
College students becoming grown-ups
Clients include Amgen, Pinpoint, and Medtronic
The confidence and skills we gain are iconic
Tech wizards, scientists, and business enthusiasts here
Fun socials and hangouts bring us closer than just a peer
Phoenix strives to be better each year
Bringing more and more cheer
*Series of rhyming couplets
Letter to Newbie Me
Tents line the edge of every inner campus walk way
While screams ring out asking, “Do you want to help save lives?”
Application, interviews, and so on cause dismay
Next steps marked panic at the thought of being told nay
However chances not taken are already gone
Months later, I now say, “Phoenix is the best choice I made!”
Once you join, members welcome you like the sun to dawn
Members with much talents, each their own shade of crayon
People around motivate you to be better, grow
I frequently think, “How can I learn from my members?”
As a professional and as a person I know
Whether in a formal suit or pajamas, I glow
Thanks to Phoenix, I am no longer an uncertain doe
Decided to join during freshman year as a Newbie
Will leave with friends and mentors who endlessly support me
*Narrative Poem
Nidhi joined Phoenix to become more familiar with the biotech space through scientific, tech, and business-related lenses. Outside of Phoenix, she is highly interested in journalism and art related to social justice issues, organizing blood drives in the Midwest as a part of the American Red Cross and writing pieces about mental health and more in an online women’s empowerment magazine, GenZHER. In her free time, Nidhi likes writing poetry, driving at night, and swimming. Nidhi grew passionate about poems after taking inspiration from Robert Frost’s writing style and ambiguous tone; she regards poetry as a form of expression that takes on multiple interpretations based on the reader and thus cultivates deep connections.
