Note To the Pathologist.
Take a scalpel, cut along the white bone of breast
fold back the flesh, there
behind the ribs, you’ll see ribald laughter
caged, gasping for breath.
Between the red thread of capillaries
you will discover a black patch with a flat
nasal accent, a green leek, a French bonnet
and a Shakespearean sonnet.
Pinch between the aorta and pulmonary vein
you’ll find a socialist / ageing witch
riding a broomstick willy nilly
with potion brewing in the left atrium.
Cut now into the wall of the larynx. You’ll
see a host of yellow poems, sheltering
behind the epiglottis. They are full of unspoken
vowels and whispers. Lean forward, listen.
Kate Ennals has published poems and short stories in a range of literary and on-line journals. She has published three poetry collections and her fourth, Practically Awake will be published by Salmon in 2023. Her blog is kateennals.com