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