Dust to Dust by Heather Khey Beldman
“Death, only death, can break the lasting chain;
And here, ev’n then, shall my cold dust remain”
― Alexander Pope, Eloisa to Abelard
Dust to Dust is an original piece that is a brief reflection of man’s mortality. Although not necessarily a taboo topic, it is not often that we ponder the inevitability and finality of death. It is curious to see what was once a being of passion, thought, and volition becomes an empty shell despite retaining its mass and substance. Yet, is the lifeless body as empty as it appears? The question of existence is not always so easily evaded. While we are most definitely more than our moving muscles, bones, and skin, what is that which makes us more than just that? For some of us, questions such as these will remain unanswered. For others, the answers will come gradually.
As a medical student, the experience in the cadaver lab is a unique one, and can involve a bit of detective work. Scars, lesions, or other markings provide clues unique to how that person lived. It is a glimpse of a reality rarely afforded to others: the human body in all its gore and glory, free of its previous titles, stature, clothing, adornments, and labels.
The simple sketch was inspired by my exposure to the anatomy cadaver lab.
Dedication: For our generous donors, their bodies provide a service beyond the learning medical student that touches the lives of people in the community. They are the reason medical students are able to continue taking part in an ongoing tradition of instruction that is an essential part of their professional formation. Beyond their own individual ends, the gracious decision to gift their bodies to the medical community only expands the meaningful lives they had led.
Contributor Biography: Heather Khey Beldman
Heather Khey Beldman is a 2nd year medical student at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (University of Western Ontario), where she also received her BSc Honors degree in Physiology and Psychology in 2012. Although Canadian-born, she lived most of her life in the Philippines until 2006, when she moved back to Canada after completing her BSc in Nursing. While not having had any formal training in the arts, she continues to progress her passion for drawing and painting through projects that aim to incorporate the arts and humanities into anatomy education.