Takeaway
A medical student's poem to her anatomy donor—wondering what TV shows they watched, how they took their coffee, what made them laugh—is a reminder that curiosity about a patient's life is as important as curiosity about their medical condition.
Creative arts in medicine | October 26, 2026 | 2 min read
By Isabel Stringfellow, medical student, University of South Carolina
During my first year of medical school, I was very anxious about setting foot in the anatomy lab. At the start of the course, we were encouraged to think of our donors as our first patients and to treat them with the same care and attention we would give future patients. It was difficult at first, but over time I found comfort in thinking of my donor as a patient and as someone I had the privilege to learn from. As the semester progressed, I thought about how much I knew about this person’s body—from the muscles that carried them through the world to their heart and brain. Yet I was left with so many questions about the life they’d lived. I began to imagine what I would say to them and what I would ask if I could. This poem was born from that idea. This feeling has followed me into my third-year rotations. I now have the opportunity to get to know my patients and take every chance I get to say thank you.
Thank you
In the time before the sun comes up
driving home seeing the glow
through living room blinds
I think about what TV you watched
or if you woke up early in the morning
And if you loved your husband, wife, children, dog, or mother
If you ever went fishing or if your car ever broke down
If you had to walk the mile and a half home in the rain
If you laughed and laughed and laughed
while you tried to keep
your soggy clothes
from dripping all over the floor
so your roommate wouldn’t be upset
about the damp spots on the carpet
did you always drink coffee before it cooled off enough
I can’t tell
I think it’s strange that we never met
because I’d really like to talk to you
right now
but as we both know
that’s not possible
I’d tell you what your liver looked like if you asked
and wouldn’t if you didn’t
you could ask me whatever you want
I’d answer
because is it fair to keep secrets from you
when you never keep secrets from me
I think I’d mostly be quiet
and listen to your life story
and then say thank you 100 times
Thank you thank you thank
You
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.