Molecules

Molecules
Written for Prof.Daniels creative writing class. This is one of the only poems I have ever done heavy research for and the process and content, while new to me, were ever fascinating. It is based loosely around a lecture from an Prof.Stevens abnormal psych class. 

I breathe in Michelangelo’s breath

take into myself all that remains of him,

oxygen molecules forever drifting over the planet,

drifting into me.

Is that where I got this gift, this curse?

Oh but Michelangelo,

your brush did it justice, my words fall flat

and kneel before you on the floor

of the most beautiful chapel in the world,

just one among so many masterpieces.

I see you there at the end of my bed,

you and your beautiful bipolar brain.

I breathe in Leonardo’s breath,

take into myself all that remains of him,

oxygen molecules forever drifting over the planet,

drifting into me.

Is that where I got this curse, this gift?

Oh but Leonardo,

your pen did it justice, my words fall flat

and kneel before you under your ornithopter

and your incomprehensible understanding of the universe.

I see you there at the end of my bed,

you and your beautiful bipolar brain.

I breathe in Donatello’s breath

take into myself all that remains of him,

oxygen molecules forever drifting over the planet,

drifting into me.

Is that where I got this gift, this curse?

Oh but Donatello,

your hands did it justice, my words fall flat

and kneel beside goliath

under your victorious David.

I see you there at the end of my bed,

you and your beautiful bipolar brain.

I breathe in Raphael’s breath,

take into myself all that remains of him,

oxygen molecules forever drifting over the planet,

drifting into me.

Is that where I got this curse, this gift?

Oh but Raphael

your strokes did it justice, my words fall flat

and kneel in The school of Athens

where I will study philosophy.

I see you there at the end of my bed,

you and your beautiful bipolar brain.

I breathe them out again,

perhaps they travel on to be part of the next unfathomable creation

dreamt up in some beautiful bipolar brain.