“If you analyse a molecule of chlorophyll, what you get is one hundred thirty six atoms of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen arranged in an exact and complex relationship around a central ring. At the ring’s centre is a single atom of magnesium. Now: if you remove the atom of magnesium and in its exact place put an atom of iron, you get a molecule of haemoglobin. The iron atom combines with all the other atoms to make red blood…” (Annie Dillard Pilgrim in Tinder Creek –what a wonderful book!)
A fortunate quirk
of nature
An unseen
hand
Slice magnesium
atom and swap with iron atom
Slice iron
atom and swap with magnesium atom
Chlorophyll fills
my veins
Blood fill chloroplast
The tree
becomes me
I become the
tree
While hydrogen,
carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, dance unaware
Swaying
hands, swaying branches
