Gallery #4

There were no surprises; they decided it would be
easier that way. There were your teeth in your
mouth and there was your tongue resting there
gently against them. There were your bones in
your hands and your blood running thin around
them. There were your steps in the hall with
echoes and pauses. There were the gilt frames
there was a momentary lapse in ideal worlds.

But darling! I have my feet in my shoes but they
run in arches through a street-tunnel; I have my
heart in my ribs but my ribs misbehave regularly.
Foxhole demons and family demands pull you but
darling-- all the bones in your hands are fishhooks,
they're telescopes so catch me, so stand by me like
a fearless sea-captian. I gather in storm-clouds at
your ankles in your boots with all the charm of a
water-blue wind. I pass at your shoulder in your
shirt with all the surprise I can collect.