Dear Auto(nomic),
epistolary ode
Dear Auto(nomic) Nervous System,
and I guess that includes you, Brain–
Just a quick note of thanks
for the ways you sustain.
I have to admit,
I haven't thought of you often–
but I should, you’re one reason
I’m not yet in a coffin.
If I were responsible to
beat my heart on my own,
my kids would interrupt
and my whole life would be blown.
While exercising, if I had to
pump my heart faster...
well, you know me,
I'm a bad multitasker.
I couldn't operate circulation,
where blood goes out and returns–
I'm directionally challenged,
I'd be forever adjourned.
I'm not clear on the difference 'tween
pulmonary, tricuspid, atrium, aorta.
I mean, I kinda know what they are,
but only just sorta.
Thank you for overseeing
that aspect of living,
your magnificent existence
is literally life-giving.
Also, thank you so much
for taking care of digesting–
triggering enzymes to manage nutrients
my body is requesting.
If I had to manually break down
all of my food,
converting it to its simplest form–
I’d be totally screwed.
How would I deduce what is vital
in the masticated brew,
or separate waste products
to be converted to poo?
I'm glad you handle the dirty work
so I can eat and just chill,
without having to manage the
arduous digestive drill.
Additionally, thanks for taking care
of my respiration.
With all of the other pressing tasks,
I'd totally forget inhalation.
As you know, Chemistry
was my least favorite subject–
Converting O2 to CO2
I'm certain I would not get correct!
How could I keep the lungs
and functions straight in my mind,
remembering differences between
bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli?
Any mixups would be tragic
so let me be curt–
your control means (for now)
I get to stay above dirt.
Yes, my dear Parasympathetic,
and the previous word minus para–
in layman's terms “rest and digest” and
“fight or flight” (named during the Common Era)–
The list of jobs that you manage
has to be miles long.
I'd like to thank you for a few more,
hopefully I don't get this wrong.
Cortisol output, heart rate,
contracting stomach/intestines.
Well, scratch those last two,
I already mentioned digestion.
Liver glucose, adrenaline,
blood flow, eye blinking,
releasing of bile,
pupils expanding and shrinking.
Body temperature, metabolism
sweating, tears, urination,
salivation, sexual arousal,
electrolyte balance {deep breath} and defecation.
There are so many more functions
that your ganglia conduct–
if I were responsible for them all
I’d be totally…
Well, let’s just leave it at this–
I’m so thankful to you
for all of the complicated
things that you do.
So, thanks for taking care
of those parts of my living,
your magnificent existence
is literally life-giving.
Alas, if I were managing those
operations during the thanks I just wrote,
I would have surely kicked the bucket
and you wouldn't have this sweet note.
So, I’m glad you’re in charge,
and I think you agree–
because without you I wouldn't be here,
and for you to exist you need... me.
Sincerely yours (very gratefully),
Me, which is also you, so...We
About the Creator
Kristen Balyeat
Words fly to me on the wind, bump into me as I'm strolling the city, splash me in the face while I rest by the river, and shake me awake in the middle of the night—I’m humbly one of the vessels they use to come to life.
Also, i love you:)
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Comments (22)
This is brilliant—funny, tender, and sneakily profound. You have such a way with words. I love that you honor the body’s backstage crew: the ganglia, the balance, the bowel. It’s a reminder that life is sustained by quiet miracles we rarely thank… and that control is only an illusion.
charming and amazing, was so happy with this and loved it
Dear Ms. Kristen - Lovely Piece - One of my clients was explaining "Neuroplasticity" to me ~ and I can't even say that (3) times really fast ~ J-Bud
Utterly charming, delightful & true. Well done, Kristen!
Oh I'm so happy you entered this into the challenge! I hope it gets placed!
Sorry all, I had to edit the subtitle so it's republishing as new. Wish we could edit without that happening!
Great letter to your systems, playfully and wittily rendered, yet the reader comes away with an awe-inspiring sketch of our biology. Another great piece.
That was hilarious while being so, so true!! Brilliant stuff and good luck with the epistolary challenge!
Speaking as a biologist, few people have such appreciation for biology. Entertaining, amusing, and educational... and so wonderfully written - Pernoste
Catchy and clever! But the last line is definitely my favorite! Well done.
Great poem once again! I love how you rhymed aorta and sorta, and the line in-between. The "conduct" with the ellipsis was so clever 🤣🤣.. you made us complete that rhyme in our heads. Love the topic as well, I talked with a friend about this before, how there are so many things happening that are so vital to us, yet so subconscious that we don't think about them. Forget even the microscopic and internal things, even things that we can actually visualise are crazy.. walking, gripping things and even breathing. Sometimes I would stop and think "did I forget to breathe?!".. beautiful poem, and great subject
Wow! Thank you for thanking your systems for all they do. I felt I was thanking my systems as I read along. I thought about this a few times in the past and read some eye-opening articles on the subject. At any given moment, your body can have billions of chemical reactions going on. It's mind boggling how it can keep up this pace. Metabolism itself has an immense job. Great read! Loved your letter!
Very creative! I never thought about it but that is a lot to manage! Great work ❤️
Gosh, when you put it that way, I gotta learn to be more grateful! I would have been long dead if I had to manually perform all those processes, lol. This was fantastic!
This was amazing. Your writing impresses me every time I read it
This poem is a beautiful tribute to the autonomic nervous system and all the vital functions it controls in our bodies. It is a reminder of how much we take for granted and how important it is to be grateful for the things we don't even think about. The writer's humor and wit make it an enjoyable read while also conveying a sincere message of gratitude. Overall, a lovely and heartfelt poem that makes one appreciate the wonders of the human body.
Kristen, you are hilarious 🤣. I love it! The kids interrupting thing is so true lol.
😂 This is hysterical. So well-written, and I feel your genuine appreciation throughout. This kind of playful space with life is (at least in this reader's opinion) such a special part of the human experience. You just conveyed that tone masterfully, while expounding quite the dialogue with your nervous system(s). Amazing :)
I love the ellipse. It reminds me of "Hamilton" when Thomas Jefferson says, "Whaaat?" right over top of the letter as it reads, "that was my wife you decided to...." Actually, no surprise here, I enjoyed the entire thing. Just a whole lot of fun poetically wandering all the way back around 8th grade biology.
Your poem/letter gave me more than a few chuckles! Thanks 🤣 It’s a wonderful poem! 😊👍
You picked the perfect subject and nailed it! This is fantastic, Kristen!
Another brilliant and dynamic piece!