Does soft it make
the shins of a child
when thick skin is
not a question of
susceptibility or blistering?
That during their brief
time in this hemisphere,
they are thankful that
they haven’t been
jumped. That they can
flaunt their wingspan
at all is something to be
admired and not frantic
about. Look out the window
and please tell me where
you don’t see the after-
math of heliotherapy.
Where is it exactly that
you enjoy being judged
as stiff as the larynx
of a tight chest. This
life of first impressions,
of shakes ranked by
their unyielding grip.
All the muscles I’m aware of
restore best while at rest.