In Numbers, safety
I shook the moment holding me together,
Violently in stirring quivers of clasped hands.
To my surprise, I did not release numbers,
But the quality of their curves,
So only the skeleton of facts were left,
And a daffodil field of semi-circles
Surrounded the footfalls of the floorboards.
Plaid skirt in cinched waist line,
And cardigan weaves covering my breasts,
I shook, and shook, and shook,
Till the shock crushed my memory.
No blow to the head,
In bullet or rock alike,
Could have persuaded a job
Better done.
