Robin Beth Schaer |
Restraint
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.
Robin Beth Schaer
Restraint first appeared in Painted Bride Quarterly (Issue 73).
Posted on August 21, 2006 6:06 AM