Sphygmograph

first there is the heart
blood passes through the vein
this is the pulse

first there is the band
placed across the wrist
an elastic tongue of steel
the edges metal wings

first a steel spring
screwed to a frame of brass
covered by a plate of ivory
the plate moves up and down

first the pulse speaks
to the plate
by means of the knife
to the wooden lever

movement etched
on a piece of smoked paper
peaks then valleys
trace the interior

I can watch myself live
in a line

JENA OSMAN