Poetry | March 02, 2021
Poems: John Gallaher
John Gallaher
Division (Architecture 5)
Let’s watch the process one more time. During the first stage of mitosis,
prophase, we see the classic chromosome structure. Notice the DNA
condensing. Outside, my neighbor is watering the new tree
they planted to replace the one they had to remove, and in both her and the tree,
microtubules are appearing and the nuclear membrane is breaking down.
So many places to go wrong: metaphase, when the chromosomes are aligned
at the center of the cell, or anaphase, as the chromosomes are moving apart.
Telophase is then marked by the appearance of new nuclear membranes.
And this is the end of mitosis. About 80 minutes, and two new cells
are ready to grow and perform their specialized functions.
If you are a student, faculty member, or staff member at an institution whose library subscribes to Project Muse, you can read this piece and the full archives of the Missouri Review for free. Check this list to see if your library is a Project Muse subscriber.
Want to read more?
Subscribe TodaySEE THE ISSUE
SUGGESTED CONTENT
Poetry
Mar 02 2021
Poems: Teresa Ott
Trembling Was All Living, Living Was All Loving, Some One Was Then the Other One In the amniotic gloss of the past, feathers floated to the surface, then flew away.… read more
Poetry
Mar 02 2021
Poems: John Gallaher
Division (Architecture 5) Let’s watch the process one more time. During the first stage of mitosis, prophase, we see the classic chromosome structure. Notice the DNA condensing. Outside, my neighbor… read more
Poetry
Dec 11 2020
Poems: Jamaica Baldwin
Forbidden Let me go back to my father in the body of my mother the day he told her, Having black children won’t save you when the revolution comes.… read more