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A Masterpiece
by Tim Yiu
Our first drawings are simple things really
Stick men and women differing only in the length of their hair.
"Where are the eyes and mouth?" exclaims my kindergarten teacher. "And what about the nose?"
I begrudgingly sketch them in.
Later but still early on
Back when girls still have cooties
I have acquired new art skills.
My stick men and women have evolved
To box figures.
"You even remembered that there are five fingers for each hand!" compliments the teacher.
I give myself a pat on the back and my mother buys me ice cream (chocolate brownie flavored, of course).
During the awkwardness of middle school
A time when invisible walls prop themselves up between boys and girls during after-school dances and people experience their first kiss (myself included)
I learn about cells and organelles.
"Why do the people in your drawing have green spots all over them?" inquires my teacher.
I patiently explain the role of chloroplasts in photosynthesis and how I feel more energized when in the sunlight.
My teacher sighs...I am clearly not Harvard material.
College graduation whizzes by
And my short stint working before medical school and experiencing the true meaning of "Happy Hour" comes and goes.
I feel more confident about the intricacies of the human body — I do have an Immunology degree after all.
Fast forward to 8:30am November 19th, 2009
And you will find me looking at Alison Seliger's flawless drawing of the brain on the chalkboard.
"Well," I think to myself encouragingly, "at least I have the Circle of Willis drawn in the correct general area."
At 11:00am, Amy, Tyler, Adebola, and myself are peering into a near empty cranial cavity.
We are awestruck.
November 24th, 2009, seconds before it becomes November 25th, the day of our final exam,
I find myself looking at a drawing I made of our female donor.
After outlining the organs, NVBs, muscles and more in the correct anatomical position to the best of my ability
I realize that something is missing.
What type of pencil (2H, 3B, or HB) should I use to shade in her first day at kindergarten?
How can I draw her first taste of ice cream?
What hue of red would be appropriate for her first kiss?
Is it possible to color in her emotions upon having her first dance with that special someone?
How about the right tint of bright blue to express her feelings upon college graduation?
Deep down, I know there is no...
Pencil
Brush
Acrylic paint
Or color
That can encapsulate the wealth of experiences and life that she had.
I know my masterpiece is not yet complete,
But I think that some art is best left unfinished.
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