Single-hearted like Humans

     Single-hearted like Humans

 

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chambered nautilus images – Bing images

Jeremiah 17:9

 

The chambered nautilus unlike its kin,

The octopus and squid, has just one heart.

Perhaps this limits many sorts of sin

Available to creatures like this, set apart

From others.  Octopuses manage three

Hearts each though whether this implies that they

Are more depraved religions can’t agree.

The science of these beasts cannot assay

Iniquity.  If human hearts are vile,

Each one, then tripling them might well imply

A multiplying of their evil guile.

If desperately wicked, three times sly

Their natures, they might turn out being worse.

Perhaps shared single hearts avoid this curse.

Phillip Whidden