Probably needs some changes and polishing (some stanzas in particular definitely need some whipping), but I'm quite pleased with it as a first draft:
Mapping Renewal
2-3 weeks for the
lungs.
About a year for the
alveoli to regenerate.
Nothing
on the surface; forever, deeper.
24 hours for the
cornea. Which explains
why I can see you so
clearly now.
20 years for the heart.
Perhaps four times
in a lifetime. Three if
repairs are slow. Scars
can't muscle.
Intestines; 2 or 3 days. Fighting to rid;
stomach acid sears
through. Gargle, spit:
taste buds; every ten
days. I am not
so enthused by your
wanderlust now.
6-8 weeks for an
eyelash. Mine
are doe like, defined
by black; don't bat for you.
3-6 years for hair and
your indecision.
I bleached mine; I am
getting it cut.
The skeleton takes ten
years. Osteoclasts.
Osteoblasts. Break
down. Build up. I am cast
as beauty. My closet is
empty.
Fingernails twice as
fast as toenails.
Keratin, circulation,
tissue supply.
New skin every two
weeks.
Less elastic. Still
waterproof.
We won't touch again.
The liver, flushing
away cruel toxins; just
five months a round.
The
brain ages alone, coughing notes in the dark
through
dreams and organs; imagines its own future:
conjures
decision; the belief that it can thrive.
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And because I thought Mosa (of OnePixArt) might appreciate this kind of thing, here are some images he took of me in LA. I have admired his artwork for a long time, and it was certainly interesting to be let in on his philosophies about women. I think the third is my favourite.
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And finally, a song about bodies I've been enjoying by Bobby McFerrin... Love this guy. I've finally joined the modern age and have all my music on my phone. Well, not all; do you have any idea how much music I own? It's quite shocking. But anyway, along with some questionable beauties (the most questionable being Take That's debut album, teach-yourself-spanish, and the Sister Act soundtrack - all choices I personally stand by, however) I treated my studio day attendees on Saturday to such gems as:
Off now for a round two of responding to emails before meeting up with new friends tonight. Excited to see lots of my 'old' friends in the next week or so too. You gotta love that about Christmas; everyone gathers. :-)
