CELLULAR CONVERSION

after my local newspaper's recent headline:
"Scientists Turn Skin Cells into Heart Cells"

by Sherry S.   

While reading this sublime headline,
I think, of course, I'll give them mine.
My P skin cells proliferate.
Impatient? They won't have to wait.

Are not most skin docs now agreed
that P is known for excess speed?
Researchers could, no doubt, collect
more cells than even they'd expect.

A lot of fine professionals
can now reprogram from skin cells.
They make cardiomyocytes
by working through long days and nights.

Cardiomyocytes, I read,
are bio tools that fill a need.
They're not yet safe for human use,
must live in labs, cannot get loose.

But soon they might rebuild weak hearts,
re-energize them, give them sparks.

If rebuilt from our flaky skin,
would hearts get itchy, so closed in,
beat way too fast and cause a din,
inflame in bright alizarin,
shed lovers like we shed our skin,
or otherwise cause crazed chagrin,

or would new owners
of these hearts,
applauding donors,
glad for parts,

thank P's unending
gift to science
for heart-rending
death defiance?
 

*****