How to Remove a Heart
Slide the scalpel from stem to stern,
Wipe up the excess blood and prepare the saw.
Jigsaw through the armour of the breastbone,
you might get stuck there, but be patient
Burn the bleeding edges of those bones,
Cauterize the wound before it gets messy.
Insert the retractor to spread the sternum in half
Turn the winch until you've got room to work.
You're not there yet, still that delicate bag,
A thin layer between you and the heart is sliced away.
Look how it beats, strong and steady in the chest,
And yet so vulnerable and exposed like this.
Discard your scalpel, hyfrecator, heart-drill, suction tubes,
Reach in with your hands and carefully hold the miracle of life.
Feel it beat in your hands, the promise and potential.
Pull. Tear. Rip. Wrench. Separate.
Place it into the specimen container and seal it up,
Add it to the shelf so it can sit with all your others.
Remove your gloves, your scrubs and wash up,
On to the next patient, your work here is done.