by Jody Collins
Securely tabled, the body awaits a scalpel ready to move in. Sure-handed surgeon, knowing aorta versus vein, cavity vis-à-vis chamber, approaches life-saving infinitesimally.
He leaves the stories just below, housed within the heart’s memory as it courses, pulses, blood-red notes wholly clutched by invisible hands.
Delicate machineries monitor blood, opaque as merlot, up, out and back again. A rush of oxygen sluices the brain, ferries golden cells to the shore of healing.
Surgeon is pleased, chest swelling with each suture, clean as a textbook. Attendants take note.
Sheltered in sleep, the frail organ pounds, resounds, recording days and choruses as gray matter conversations collect, silent but particular as autographs, ciphered, seared on the soul. Cached messages fuel this body electric, signaling breath as spirit awakens, stretching this muscle of memories cloaked in skin.
Jody Collins is a writer, poet and author of “Hearts on Pilgrimage-Poems & Prayers” and “Living the Season Well-Reclaiming Christmas.” She is retired from 20 plus years of teaching and when she’s not at her desk writing, enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. Jody and her husband call the Seattle area home where she marvels at the birds and messes about in the garden. She’s been writing since Smith-Corona typewriters graced the desk of her eighth grade typing class, but nowadays you can find her poetry and reflections at www.jodyleecollins.com.
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