These are our new churches
where life is declared done
or pulled out squalling
with that first breath forced
with a slap on the ass
and the heart’s calligraphy
is charted for the elect
that can read its flights
in ritual healing
of the celebrants
with shaved heads
and radiation tattoos
waiting for a cure
that kills, but more slowly
than the disease
blooming quietly under skin
(there is a reason
we call them patients–
because they are always
waiting)
these moments, sacred
and shrouded in mystery
are now visible under
fluorescence–
the shadow on the stomach wall
photographed in three dimensions
in color, as our robed high priests
and priestesses
pass flesh off fields, sterile
to the altar of frozen sections
and if that heart pauses
without permission
they will restore its leaping
through paddles
on a chest
and what is more magic than that
giving back life and sustaining it
on machines
Susan Daniels Poetry 
great stuff Susan really enjoyed it
Bruce, thank you. Those words were hard to “elevate”
Can’t believe I tried…it was FUN.
My only disappointment is the seamlessness with which this is stitched 🙂
A cure that kills more slowly – yes, I’ve had this thought before – the strange things we do in the name of a cure!
Yes, feeble Mrs Daniels, feeble!!
Oh, you are too kind, calling this feeble, which says it has some strength in it at all (how’s that for hubris masked as humility? I think I can out-brit a brit…). Loved the prompt, Mike, and thanking you for it. My business involves a lot of this–dealing with the treatments that kill. Sigh.
I think you did a fantastic job with this!!
Oh, thank you Whimsy…I could not go the romantic route, because you aced that. Glad you enjoyed.
As you can see/read though – I have issues going beyond that 😦
No need to go beyond–what you did was beautiful.
now now.. were you not just at my place wagging your finger at me for this same thing? Yours was fabulous Whimsy
agree wholeheartedly.
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fabulous Susan. I love the Church and body metaphor. What lurks beneath..
Oh, gosh, Audra, thanks. Had to go the medical/spiritual route, since you and Panda elevated the fun and Bruce did whatever it is that Bruce does to make everything he touches sparkle…
Wow Susan! Your play with words astounds me!
Jennifer, -thank you so much I am not sure if I play with words or if they play with me, but I love the process.
This is pure genius!!
Oh, shucks, Terry, thank you! I had the idea when I was out running errands and then came back to find a body prompt a la Panda. Had to do it. Glad you liked!
So much better a purpose than machines of destruction.
Absolutely!
Some years ago, a colleague with a clinical background introduced this word into the tightly focused world of the bureaucracy we then inhabited. It was immediately seized upon as a useful concept, as we extended it from the medical world to social policy. Another fabulous write Susan!
David, thank you.
Job accomplished – praise given (enjoyed and excellently written) – I just don’t know how you come up with so many, it boggles this wee brain. 🙂
Nah–it s just a matter of “listening” to the world–interior and exterior, and waiting for that one phrase, image, or idea to sing.
just LOVE this passage:
These are our new churches
where life is declared done
or pulled out squalling
with that first breath forced
with a slap on the ass
… what a way to start. wonderful work, Susan – love it.
Oh, Miriam, thank you. It was an odd thing–I had the idea while I was out running errands, and came back to find the Panda’s prompt, so rolled with it. Glad you liked.
talk about meant to be… 😉
😉 love when that happens
absoltuely!
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Another ace up your sleeve which you delivered so well. 🙂
Thanks, C.