"The Turtle and the Hammer" by Phillip Thompson

To the turtle’s head. We
cinched a string around. In
Anatomy and Physiology lab. And
pounded with a hammer. Until
it gave us knowledge. Of
the heart’s chambers. A
turtle that snorted. Life
through nostrils I can. Tell
you now as you sink. To
the bottom of a bottomless. Bayou
I understand how. The
body works.