(no subject)

Medicine dance

it's friday night at the union hall
and an old song pounds the air
but my belly rent open
and stapled back together
holds me to my chair

feet step to the floor
many pairs that i know
stirring fine sweet dust
of memories out of corners

raising hopes of more times to come
with these friends

i watch the show
while the lengths of songs
some fast some slow
measure fear of pain

til i rise and go
among thronging limbs
let the festival stretch my bonds

gesturing rhythmically
i push the air outward
expanding my body volume
caressing these wounds to sleep

and festival knits
the lips of flesh together again