shake hands, sit down.
Always sit down.
Then ask for permission.
Press the wrist’s flesh
with the same pressure
you placed on your chest
when you swore your oath.
Count the rate.
Close your eyes.
Appreciate the rhythm,
each rise and fall,
crescendo, pause,
flutter and thrill,
the flow, the stream,
a body entered
through 2 fingertips
with enough nerve
and sense to reveal
the secrets deep
in your patient’s heart.
