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    HEARTS

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    As New Year came upon us,
    All hearts resounding cheered;
    Yet muted each elation,
    No lapse of beating dared.

    But taken altogether,
    A swell of joy was heard.
    For some a cosmic uptick,
    A  synchrony observed.

    And so reminder surfaced
    Of feature with no match.
    A heart that's well is steadfast,
    In purpose and in march.

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    MENINGES

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    Think of the layers surrounding the brain,
    Spacing the bone from precious gray matter;
    Serving as cushion, remembered as “pad”;
    Pia, arachnoid—as well—dura mater.

    Taken for granted these tissues though dear
    Until a trauma shakes brain within skull.
    Maybe instead inflammation occurs,
    Causing neck stiffness and making one dull.

    Fever and headache, confusion and more,
    Many the symptoms of sad meningitis.
    Give, then, some thought to meninges that range
    Tip-top to tail in both presence and service.

    Whether the fluid of spinal cord bath
    Or natural floating of cord in canal,
    Functions we see of these layers so meek
    Tell of creator and wisdom past all.

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    ULTRA-PROCESSED

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    Ultra-processed foods deceive
    The hurried mouths they feed.
    Packets filled with taste appeal
    Yet void of worth, indeed.

    Wholesome foods we tend to think
    Are palate pleasing all.
    Calories more flavor dense
    Have power to enthrall.

    Various compounds added, though, 
    While stretching life on shelf,
    Lack the inclination to
    Preserve the life of self.

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    PRIDE

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    Pride may go before destruction,
    A haughty spirit before a fall;
    But at the ripe old age of eighty,
    A bit of pride may come to all.

    Having got so far, the aged,
    They feel a certain license due.
    Previous if a bit contrary,
    No rules for them now writ and true.

    Watch out world, I come a barreling,
    Just clear the way and let me through.
    Dues for years were paid already,
    I've earned the right to not see you.

    Literal then the fall awaiting;
    As frailty rises… attention wanes.
    Social state may hardly matter,
    But breaking hip much danger gains.

    Risk of death is much, much higher, 
    And housing needs wreak major change.
    Outlook then is bleak and scary,
    That haughty spirit not in range.

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    the tumultuous tummy

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    Surprising cacophony may often occur
    To tell on actions nether, covert;
    With popping and creaking and swishing and more,
    It squeals a tale—when privacy preferred.

    Expressive the telling with “oohs” and “aahs,”
    Dramatic pauses, then flurry of sounds.
    Some groans to protest, moans to cry,
    And exclamations matched to frowns.

    At thirty-feet intestines long,
    The muscular gut has massive work.
    With gassy hazards in the  mix,
    The laborers think they're owed a perk!

    Embarrassing, though, and fearsome oft,
    No cause for alarm is usually meant.
    Most noisy cases are healthy speech
    Unless delivered with other event,

    Like nausea, vomiting, bloody stools,
    Excessive gas, abdominal pain,
    Diarrhea, fever, heartburn, cramps…
    Borborygmi else are safe and sane.

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    REFERRED PAIN

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    The patient who enters clinic referred
    A certain status deserves.
    With proof of ailment pre-confirmed, 
    Frivolity none observes.

    Referral, though, may not involve
    Professional contact made.
    The first practitioner, wise and quick,
    Oft has no office staid.

    Take heed the pain that rears its head
    Despite no injury known;
    It means, no doubt, you've been referred
    From self-referral zone.

    A pain left arm or of the teeth
    May tell of heart attack,
    And shoulder pain there on the right,
    Gallbladder on the rack.

    “Referred pain” is its name and badge,
    A hint to not be lax.
    Consult physician, be not shy,
    Referred without a tax!