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My First Lab Mouse

Dhakshayini Suresh

 

I punctured you in the peritoneum,

but I’m so sorry, Stuart,

I promise I didn’t mean to hurt you, yet

you squealed like a frightened doll.

 

But I’m so sorry, Stuart.

Wobbling in your cage,

you squealed like a frightened doll,

unaware of the ketamine taking over you.

 

Wobbling in your cage,

like a drunken cat on his last life,

unaware of the ketamine taking over you,

you eventually close your eyes to rest.

 

Like a drunken cat on his last life,

your limbs give out and droop.

You eventually close your eyes to rest,

I see you slow your breathing.

 

Your limbs give out and droop.

I pick your slack body up by your tail,

I see you slow your breathing,

and then place you on the surgical slab.

 

I pick your slack body up by your tail,

one last time again to confirm you’re faint,

and then place you on the surgical slab.

I prepare the scalpel as I watch you with guilt.

 

One last time again to confirm you’re faint,

I pinch your tail and find no reaction.

I prepare the scalpel as I watch you with guilt.

I promise I didn’t mean to hurt you. 

 

Dhakshayini Suresh is majoring in cell biology and neuroscience with plans to graduate in 2025. She is from Lawrence Township, New Jersey. She loves spending her free time reading mystery novels, recreating desserts from The Great British Baking Show, and hanging out with friends and family. 

Dhakshayini wrote this poem in a course taught by Joanna Fuhrman, who selected the piece for inclusion in WHR.