The dialysis cycle

“The Dialysis Cycle” is a poetic reflection on the lived experience of patients undergoing hemodialysis. The intention was to explore the complex interplay between the technical, almost mechanical nature of treatment and the deeply human emotions that accompany it. Dialysis is not only a medical intervention but also a routine that reshapes time, identity, and resilience. Patients enter into a cycle where blood is purified, yet the body is reminded of its dependence, its vulnerability, and its strength. The poem unfolds in three stanzas, each representing a different dimension of this experience. The first stanza centers on the clinical environment: the hum of the machine, the piercing of needles, and the relentless passage of time. This stanza emphasizes the physical and psychological toll of treatment. The second stanza shifts toward the relational aspect: the role of nurses, the solidarity of others in the dialysis unit, and the strange intimacy that emerges between patient and machine. Here, the body is portrayed as both constrained and sustained by technology. The final stanza offers a moment of transcendence, where hope is found not in dramatic cures but in small, ordinary moments: the warmth of sunlight, the companionship of others, the ability to reframe cycles as opportunities for endurance and meaning. The significance of this poem lies in its attempt to humanize dialysis, to move beyond clinical statistics and portray the rhythm of survival in poetic terms. It seeks to capture the resilience of patients who, tethered to machines, still find ways to affirm life. By combining medical imagery with everyday metaphors, the poem bridges science and the humanities, highlighting the importance of empathy and narrative in nephrology practice. None declared. No data was used in this paper. The author declares that the present paper did not use human subjects. No informed consent was required.