Anatomy is more than flesh and bone and blood.
It’s more than the donor and the scalpel teaching the student.
Anatomy shakes hands —
it tells and creates stories.
Anatomy smiles —
it cries.
It can do both at the same time.
Anatomy carries the soul.
It carries the spirit and the mind.
Just as anatomy teaches in life,
so too in death.
Anatomy births life and returns to dust —
Complete.
This poem is simple and reaches into my heart with thought-provoking images of those who donated their bodies before they passed. The beautiful souls who donated their bodies for our education should be treated with nothing but respect. At times, students forget that they are working with and cutting open a human being. Someone with jobs, stories, memories and countless other experiences. There were times when I felt disconnected from that fact, and I wrote this poem to assure that I would not forget how meaningful these people’s lives were and continue to be.
Poetry Thursdays is an initiative that highlights poems by medical students. If you are interested in contributing or would like to learn more, please contact our editors.
Contributing Writer
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus
Jordan Erdfrocht is a fourth year medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus in Moultrie, GA class of 2023. In 2017, he graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in health sciences. He enjoys playing video games, reading history books, and finding the best cup of coffee in his free time. After graduating medical school, Jordan would like to pursue a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.