Wrists

You like to adorn them with

columns of rhyming bangles

to tease out tender murmurs

of pulse. With confident cufflinks,

clockwork of too many complications,

ruffles for uselessness, astrological 

tattooes—all charms for your most narrow

but not enough to forgive deep

histories of handcuff & shackle.

Delicate body part for

lacey bridal gloves,

archer’s sheath,

baby’s protector

from droplets too hot.

Deep histories

of handcuff & shackles,

never enough to forgive—

charms of your most narrow

those wrists rhyming

with bracelets to tease out

murmurs of pulse.

Rikki Santer - Columbus, Ohio