Our First First-Aid Test Poem by Dónall Dempsey

“I know what I know
but I don’t know if I know that I know it!
know what I mean? “

I was mean
...I pretended I didn’t.

“I know I could blow it! ”
you explained.

We practiced
on each other

getting our bodies
into the proper recovery position
getting our hearts to start
mouth to mouth resuscitation.

We practiced ‘til
we were perfect

until we got it so right
we could do it in our sleep.

Later, that night
I awoke to find myself
in your mouth.

I had come alive
so to speak.

“Excuse me! ” I said
“but can’t a guy get any sleep? ”

“Sorry! ” you said.

“I was nervous & horny
thought that I’d just

...you know

go over a few things
in my head.'