Testimony

A poem by Sam Kealhofer

Months--Poetry
Poetry

en-US

text

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Note on transcription: This transcription may not reflect the poetic form established by the poet. Please refer to the PDF file of this poem available in the Files section for proper formatting.

Testimony

What keeps the lub dub echoing
in the chambers of my heart
and the diffusion of this iron blood through
thousands of capillary miles?

Or informs the unconscious swelling
of my respiratory branches,
and the bloom of their alveolar sacs
while I lie fast asleep?

Or directs the snapping synapses
governing neurotransmitters
and the sum total of my
chemical reactions?

The force inherent in my organ tissue—
the logic of my cell division
and the spindle fibers that untwine,
gently, the figure eight of my being.