From The mammals of Illinois and Wisconsin, 1912
Courtesy of the Biodiversity Heritage Library

Wind licks the arbor vitae; it bends, then tremors
       [I was so worried about her.] Heavy exhalation
         from the next room. Like patches of paint along
              a rusted pipe. Mice have a range
                of facial expressions including pain, fear,
                and disgust. Excuse me.
                Panting, now, the heaving of labor-
                ed breath. [She had fever of 103
                and was like barely staying awake
                it was emotional day.]
          In ancient Egypt,
       a mother would consume a mouse
   when her infant was ill
       to offer healing powers to her baby.
          In the Victorian era, fried mice were served
                to children to prevent bed-wetting.
      A grunt, a whoa. The arbor vitae, in sway.
              Breathing is easier if the ear is gently pulled
                 upwards and outwards. Like mold,
           scattered meadow flowers. [I didn’t
         get a lot of pictures.]
     The term knock-out mouse describes
          a mouse who had an existing gene
     “knocked out”—replaced with
                 or disrupted by an artificial
                 piece of DNA. Some researchers
name these resulting mouse models
 after the inactive gene—others
by characteristics or behaviors: “Methuselah”
for a gene involving longevity, “Frantic,”
for anxiety. “Target” for the exceptional
    talent who stands out amongst her peers.
    A burst of short, rapid breaths, a piston,
         a tire leaking air.
          Wind then whisks
        the Japanese maple. In accord with suffering.
Oh god, whew.

 

Abbigail Baldys


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