It’s All Been Done Before
It’s all been done before and thank heavens for that!
The most magnificent organ is not
heart or brain, but hypothalamus.
Earth, the human body—
both are composed of atoms
from ancient stars exploding,
which makes sense. Of course
family betrays us. So we fashion
new ones. Small dogs are not small
in their own hearts. And I am satisfied
with my small victories. If I earned a nickel
each time I gave a damn for what came before
I’d still be penniless and thirsty, I’d still explode
bit by bit, which is a grace, an unanticipated mercy.
| Elizabeth O’Brien |
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