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How to Map a Heart

Words by Eliot
Art by Kathy Lee

 

Begin with the essential connections

to the outside; each of those tubes

which grew up in our soiled birth

 

Examine these minutely for wear

and signs of imperfect formation

understand that ceaseless movement

demands early faults be deep cut

by age at which inspection can begin

 

Turn inwards to the valves and chambers

and understand how one substance: blood

– elsewhere called life or love in liquid form –

behaves under pressure

 

Observe then how blood

has marked out its territories

in your heart and how

when one region collapses

(the blood has been evacuated

or else congealed and toxified) 

the rest spurts, spasms, shocks

the whole system 

 

In case of collapsed system

call it broken; like a bone

with no fibres to knit no prescription

for the pain

 

In case of catastrophic failure

Observe:

remove the afflicted organ

(with minimal oversight)

wrap in plastic

and return to Maker

 

Enclose a note

I recommend:

Irreparable.

Request refund.

 

Send away that pulsating meat which

despite all contrary wishes 

continues

 

Eliot Walton

The author Eliot Walton

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