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Robin Beth Schaer: Restraint

May 13, 2011 by PBQ

There were no solid walls or impossible locks.
I was the Queen of Birds, with a metal shim
beneath my tongue and a shoulder slipped

from the socket. My escape was always astounding;
the art was finding the slack. Then you, my sweet

locomotive, careened. Your impact shook loose
sequins and concealed keys, released a sack
of pigeons. I was not in search of whiplash,

but in your long arms, I craved capture,
the stillness of a swaddle and would reeve
myself to you with piano wire, twine, and rope,

unrigged. I offer my wrists, my thumbs,
but the unfettering you feel is just my finest trick.

Filed Under: Contributors 73, Issue 73, Poetry, Poetry 73 Tagged With: Contributors 73, Poetry, Poetry 73, Robin Beth Schaer

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