Taking the Pulse

Introduce yourself,

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.