Am I only?
by Ingrid Wilson
[author’s site]
As the magnetic resonance
flashes up an image
of zeros and ones
converted to an image
on a computer screen
so I can see
the chambers of my brain
I ask now ‘Am I only:
grey matter
grown complex through
natural selection
and a million or more years
of change?
Complex configuration
of synaptic pathways
neurons flowing
like the tide
from positive to negative
and back again?
Electron-sparks of primordial light
within the stringy noodle soup
left over from the dawn of time?
Am I only this,
words spit out on the page by some
celestially programmed logarithm?’
And if I am
oh God, how beautiful
anyway!
And cause enough to praise
as night turns slowly into day
and back again:
time and tide wait for no one
time and tide will surely fade and
I exist within those borders
where time dies, stops and
lost to memory
begins again.
@Ingrid Wilson
ABOUT US
Welcome to MasticadoresUSA.
MasticadoresUSA was founded by Juan Re Crivello as part of Gobblers/Masticadores in 2021. Its current editor is Gabriela Marie Milton.
MasticadoresUSA features talented writers of poetry and short prose. We primarily publish writers who write in English, and are based in the USA. However, while the publication language remains English, we also welcome the work of our fellow writers from all over the world.
What do we want to bring to our readers? Edgar Allan Poe once wrote: Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words. This is what we are committed to bringing to you. And that’s not an easy endeavor.
SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES
If you want to submit, please send your work – poetry and/or short prose – to gabrielamariemilton@gmail.com. In addition to the piece(s), you want to have published, we need your name, and the address of your site. Submit your work as a docx attachment – not in the body of the email. Limit your submission to two pieces. We do not accept pieces longer than 300 words.
What are the themes that we are looking for? Surprise us!
However, MasticadoresUSA does not publish any work that contains racist, homophobic, sexist, and hate talk of any kind.
Looking forward to your submissions.
Thank you so much for featuring my work Gabriela 🤗
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is a pleasure to have you here Ingrid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Captivating!
LikeLiked by 3 people
It is indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tricia 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful, Ingrid! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Susi 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Ingrid!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Splendid poetry, Ingrid ✍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Phil!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and very thought provoking. This is lovely and inquisitive writing. Joni
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you kindly 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure ❤️🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loving the last stanza of this piece! If ever there was a poetic answer, it is this.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Jaya 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Words or matter, both are miracles, regardless of perception.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is very true. Thank you Ken!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is breathtakingly beautiful Ingrid. And whatever we are, we are miraculous beings. ❤️
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you RedCat 😊
LikeLike
Exquisite! The introspective gaze into the mind wrapped in lush language and phrase. A wonderful lyrical form feeds the reader with well placed alliteration and metaphor. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your perceptive comment, thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Ingrid. Such beautiful images and age old questions in your poem💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Cindy 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re sooo welcome my friend❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful poem Ingrid. When we stop and think about it maybe we are just organisms. Whatever we are, it’s a miracle! ☺️💕
LikeLike
A beautiful, thought provoking poem Ingrid ☺️
LikeLike
Woah, these words blew my mind wow. The intersection in our biological form and social conditioning ….this just merges em beautifully
LikeLiked by 1 person