Lines Composed in an MRI

Not so unkind --this thing

Not so unkind at all.

Much like a womb, I say

Though hard and cold

These walls.

Is this the sound?

Is this the sound?

These earplugs I need not.

Wait.

There’s the sound.

There’s the sound.

There again, the sound.

The sound again.

A breath. Yes. A breath

And then, not so unlike

A song --this sound.

Although, I think, upon a time

I have heard lovelier.

Not so unkind at all.

Until the track complexer

Grows

And harshly from that simple rhythm strays.

Do not move your head.

Twitching eyes, and limb and limb

As well do jarring dance with each new

Layer of this jarring track.

Do not.

And in my hand I hold the key

To my salvation.

All I must do is squeeze and

Carried from this cavern be

By he that me here gently slid.

Much too loud, too small,

And I too loud in mind as well.

Silence.

But how like marks on eyes from

Staring at a light

Do tones of yestersecond

My present silence haunt.

It is done, I think. Until

The noise, transformed, returns

Reborn to something new entire.

The older song, I think was better.

Let us have the older song.

Close your eyes.

Try not on senseless things to muse,

Not of music thus to ponder.

You know not of his intent, the man

Nor can you hope to find within

The turning and

The rumbling of

His creation

Harmony.

Hear the discord, hear the sound,

And close your eyes. Until

It is done.

There the man to free me comes.

You can move your head.

A breath.

Do I live or die?

I fear the answer does within

that haunting music lie.

Reviews

[Azriel]

loved this, you captured the feeling of lying in a MRI really well and all the emotions and thoughts you go through while being in this position. However this piece is far greater than just a simple description, i loved the comparison to music as well. really great piece overall, and very unique.

[Johannes Nelson]

Yes, the music was something I tried to capture and that I wish I had done a bit more with. The sounds in an MRI are chaotic, but after a while, that chaos seems to right itself into something musical, predictable --and then it changes again and you start from square one. An anxious space, to be sure.

[haymaker14]

I agree with Chloe. Much like a lullaby. It's really strange though but really good if you know what I am trying to say. Bravo :)

[Johannes Nelson]

I think I get what you are getting at... and thanks! I am glad you enjoyed it.

[haymaker14]

Ok good! NP! :)

[Chloe]

This poem was almost like a lullaby. I felt so calmed when I read it; it haunts my brain now. Such great imagery you had. I could see somebody lying in an MRI, thinking these bizarre thoughts about the sounds the heard. This is the most interesting poem I've heard in a long time; it is so much different from other things you would see on this website. I'll definitely be looking at your other writing soon!

[Johannes Nelson]

I am surprised and pleased to hear how you read this! I never imagined it to be like a lullaby, but looking over it again, I can see how that comes out of it. Thank you for the kind words, I hope you enjoy what you find when you return.