sleep would be nice
and a back
which does not ache
pressing my knuckles
to the nape
of my neck
sets bones cracking
a marshmallow relocation
suspiciously bruised.
the mattress presses
against my hips
where the bones jut
like a shark's fin
from water.
my ribcage coils
like a birdcage
breadbasket
when I pull my knees up
to my chest.
I'm half waiting
for springboard bone
to unwind
shoot
an arrow
giving Adam his rib back.
February 24, 1999
© Lela Kaunitz