1 Brain, 1 Heart

By Evangeline Chow

Humanity with our
1 brains, 1 hearts
Why do we end up wishing
To be paired up, included, coexisting?

Giant Pacific octopuses have
9 brains, 3 hearts,
8 arms.
They select solitary lives
Exploring the depths of the ocean
Unregulated, free-
With azure blood, nobly.

Meanwhile- most days I am engulfed
Too many thoughts!!
Too many feelings!!!
Too many things to catch up on!!!!

Infinity presses down on me

The extra minds, the extra time,
The extra miles at sea- would be sublime.
Yet we- the octopuses and me,
Are gifted by God differently.

So, with my 1 brain, 1 heart
I’ll stick with you
And my two arms
Will always encircle yours.