Spines - an ode to breaking

i – human
three and three vertebrae, thirty three.
columna vertebralis -
backbone.
hold me up, steady perpendicular.

crash

spinal cord: snip, snap, se par ate.
paralysis, paraplegia:
para, pledge.
body flopping, jelly like, limp parallel.

ii – book
octavo folds, stitched spine.
titled, flecked gold and shining -
enticing.
hinged – open me, break in.

crack

breaking and breaking more.
flex, flexing:
back in to yourself, one and ninety degrees.
stress lines, creases, consulted much: you are loved.

- 2011