It may seem unusual for a surgeon to turn to poetry, but for me, they come from the same source. Medicine deals with the body’s wounds, poetry with the soul’s. Both require empathy, precision, and courage to confront pain. Western medicine can sometimes distance doctors from their emotions; poetry helped me keep mine alive. Now, as I expand into acting, I’m discovering yet another language of expression. Performing, too, is a form of healing – being fully present with emotion and sharing it with others.
My photobook Lost in Your Eyes was a turning point. It pairs my poetry with cinematic photography, something I never imagined for myself. I’ve always been introverted, more comfortable behind words than in front of a camera. But this project challenged me to be seen, not just as a doctor or poet, but as a person learning to express vulnerability. The world has many successful people, but not enough who are truly happy. I hope this book encourages readers to pause, feel, and embrace being ‘lost’ because sometimes, that’s the most honest place to be.
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