one hand reaching around your heart muscle.
                   squeezing
ever
so
l
i
g
h
t
l
y

As if it weren't a hand at all
a whisper
slipping between
pleural interstices

atrocious fear
a lifetime of banishment from everything that seems
but not what is

bones that will not fight
nor break

words that will not tumble from trembling lips
in anger
or
pain

ineffable emotion swelling
liquefied
desolate
barren
abandoned to the wind

shut out the false comfort
muscle against the
quivering desire
for what you know is not real
is not whole
is not
is not
is
not