This Pile of Mush

I stood in awe,

                clad in rubber gloves and a white coat,

                huddled over a dissection table wordlessly.

Unknowingly I locked my jaw,

                choking on the formaldehyde as it forced its way past my throat,

                partially in disbelief as I took in my surroundings nervously.

Eyes wide and filled with wonder,

I gazed down at what I held in my hands.

It was the human brain- quite raw, must I say-

and I attempted to understand.

This pile of m u s h is the human brain.

THIS is what retains my emotionally charged memories,

                fuels my fear of drowning in a body of water,

                yet motivates me to still take swim lessons.

THIS is what helps my knowledge to SOLIDIFY while I study,

                builds upon my skills to collaborate with my colleagues,

                and allows me to adapt in ever-changing environments.

THIS is what interprets the tingly warmth on my skin while sunbathing,

                makes the decision to pursue after a career in medicine,

                and drives myself to finish running the marathon.

THIS is what helps me to draw from my prior experiences,

                to push --------------------------l past

                           my limitations,

                and to reflect upon myself in order to grow as an individual.

Yes, this. This is my brain. This pile of m u s h.

I remembered that overall,

                studies in both biology and psychology

                suggest that the brain is constantly changing.

I then recalled,

                Experiences mold beliefs and mentalities

                (and vice versa). Neural networks are rearranging.

Perhaps the brain is so soft      -I gasped-      because of its plasticity!

Even when we stumble and fall, even when we fail,

Don’t forget that it can still evolve and always create new meaning.

How great it is that this pile of m u s h has the power to prevail

Over the struggles that unite us all and make us human beings.

From this anatomical and physiological view, we are all one and the same.

What a humbling fact that this pile of m u s h is an incredible human brain.