March 27, 2022

Dear Reader,

We hope you enjoy our fourth issue of the Apothecary. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted more (or less) time to gather our thoughts, yearned to hear “we are gathered here today” in a room spilling with family and friends, and reminisced about frantically gathering our belongings before running to catch the 6 train. Almost two years later, we find ourselves gathering in old and new ways. In this issue, we invited our contributors to reflect on what “gathering” now means to them.

These pages are bursting with vibrant written and visual narratives from students, scientists, social workers, and doctors at Mount Sinai. They span a range of genres, emotions, and topics. The interiority of humans and plants: curling inward, confronting anxiety and loneliness, shedding past selves and unspooling new ones. Warning us of the dangers of groupthink. The tension of crowding around a cadaver, returning to hometowns, walking around a state fair. Odes, heartbreak, and love letters to generations above and below. New dimensions—the metaverse, ghosts, floating girls—and ones we may have explored before—Accra, Havana, New York City. 

We have learned so much from these artists. We hope you do too. 

With care,
The Editors

Kristina Atanasoff · Natalie Berger · Anna Blech · Lindsay Clark · Anagha Menon · Jeff Paik · Lilly Taing · Michelle Tong