in back: heart




 in back: heart


if looking at it from behind, the least

dynamic almost certain and cloak

and dagger hidden in plain view 

and more  because i'm holding it still


working out to you the palms of my hand

bones become like the prostrate

rib-splints of floor boards or like

staging where imagine the artist is flat 


on her back and one knee drawn (as if 

it will accept any head to rest

on it) and holding out her suffering

fist and gobs and dobs of pig-


ment meant for the fat ass of the baby

angel but intend the blending in the tipped 

palette with the viscous hues of blue 

(the shade that makes veins that makes 


(it's in error of course you know) some people

believe that human blood is blue but see how

it sneaks out through the cleavage between

my thumb and forefinger knuckle (or 


is it the right from your view, and then 

really whos?) the circumflex artery 

the vessel (i'll call it that even though 

its medically maybe not) supplies what 


experts say is "most of the left

atrium" (as an aside I want to tell you

atrium is one of my least

favorite words: a court, see Penelope?


                        a central hall (because, ah, well, 

people  too many false suitors...and poor

Theseus) I personally prefer vestibule by way 

of its size or more precise and not least


because it's private: the sacristy and her limited 

access.  but there's the access point we don't

know about or if we do don't guard or if

we guard she's gone asleep or AWOL


or has been enemy or lover shot and the message

what message?  the message has been delayed

or perhaps just being composed or true

to some word not written at all or spoken


or breathed or (and you can decide what

you prefer the most in this situation)

even beaten or given to receive a 

beating.


                          

 



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