Despite my bad behavior
Gravity holds me to the earth.
Occasionally it does throw me down
to remind me who ultimately
wins every struggle.
Though gravity does not
affect my complexion
it does alter my arcs curves
lines and shadows.
My blood leads the resistance
insisting on climbing my legs
back to my heart
and up into my brain
to produce poetry
that expresses the ocean waves
crashing against my skin.
copyright © 2021 Kenneth P. Gurney
My blood left my body
without my leave.
Three powers acted against my good will:
my pumping heart
gravity’s pull on my unbalanced bicycle
and the gash in my broken nose.
Blood did not gush
but dripped dripped dripped like a leaky faucet.
My nose screamed endlessly.
My mouth did not cooperate to give my nose voice.
Exposed to the air
my blood became oxygen rich.
Exposed to the sun
while pooling on the ground
my blood separated
into plasma and cell platelets.
My blood clotted quicker on the ground
than on my broken nose.
The blood freed from the tyranny of my body
sang jubilee and liberation.
Its songs were so beautiful
I asked my blood to sing at my funeral.
The EMTs hearing my muttered request
assured me I was not going to die.
copyright © 2021 Kenneth P. Gurney
postscript
On 14 May 2021 I had a bicycle mishap and broke my nose while the ground gashed my nose open. The first person to come toward me in aid, blanched upon seeing me and got others to help. I did not realize how much blood was on my face, arm and ground when I waved to get their attention. After 4 hours in the ER, I was sent home. Taking a Lyft ride home (during Covid) from the ER is surreal. Technically my nose is healed, but still tender where my glasses press on it. My broken bicycle helmet is replaced and I am bicycling again and past the jitters.
Umflop 