May 20, 2009

we could speak of bruises

Monday, May 11, 2009 at 10:45PM

Like today's airbag bruising
the expectant mother
when she rear-ended the car
in front of her on the way
to the hospital to see her husband
after rotator cuff surgery,

we could speak of bruises;
like the apple that dropped
accidentally from too-full
or too-fast hands; or the other fruit
simply getting older in places,
good for mashing into breads;

Bruises like the sports magnet
drawing the ground closer
than we believed it would be
at the moment it grabs.
Bruises like the headache
that returns with a thought.

We could speak of bruises on
petals and soldiers and happy babies
and quiet babies and old prisoners
and new informants; bruises
on television in boxing rings,
on fingers caught in small squishes.

Bruises show immediate healing.
Bruises show something has happened
that is worth the body's blood NOW.
Bruises are tender on people, edible
in fruit, off-putting soft, off-putting
soft.

Posted by nancy at May 20, 2009 11:34 AM
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