Pulling back the layers to reveal
the flow of blood in bone has left a seam
Pristine enough and perfect as to steal
the breath away, the fossil of a stream
the course of which had nestled in its trail
A current of a life that once had stretched
At once exquisite strength and power frail
the shadow of a constant flow lies etched
Throne of wisdom, casing of the mind
about the rush of passion to protect
Life’s pulse and armor growing intertwined
A groove to show how wholly they connect
An alabaster leaf with branching vein
a beauty so intense, akin to pain
8 thoughts on “Groove for the Middle Meningeal Artery”
You are a physician with the soul of a poet. As a retired teacher of literature and writing, I profoundly admire your use of language. Thank you for sharing your poem with Pulse—and thank you, Pulse, for publishing it.
Appreciate the comments– second best to the fine sonnet:)
Beautiful sonnet. And just imagine the person’s stroke!
Gorgeous poem, especially appreciated because I’ve had three craniotomies. A moving experience for me to see the beauty of the brain from the other end of the scalpel. Many thanks.
I’ve read some fine writing in PULSE and had one of my poems published here too, but this piece by Baila Elkin is in a different class than anything I’ve seen here or elsewhere. The couplet at the Ms made me shiver! I’ve sent it on to good friends.
Thank you, Dr.Elkin, for this exquisite sonnet. It brought back memories of work as a neurosurgical nurse. “The beauty and wonder of anatomy” indeed. May we continue to be reminded of the magnificence of the body via writing such as yours. You write as Michelangelo sculpted. Brava.
Beautiful sonnet. Irs stately tone fits the subject. The last couplet is a gorgeous image.
Terrific sonnet, so thoughtful, so true. I will look for more work from this physician-poet going forward.