Put your stethoscope
to my ear, here
there’s heartbeat
some say flesh
some breathe time
all the stars
planted in your blood
stream—kick slap
the hammer to my knee
I haven’t got much
left to diagnose
shine a light
into my sinus cavity
and see what breathing
accumulates—
you’ve got a healthy
head—smart about
quickened pulse
just to be sure
let’s take your blood
pressure again.
Joshua Keiter 