Sometimes I have to wrap my arms around myself, but
not because of cold. Rather I would like to
keep them close. I would like to confirm that
in the event of sudden tremors I will have
these to trust in,
solid parts of me turned
in on myself.
Vinny bent over the desk to read some stat screen
printouts and I got an unwanted glimpse of
scalp through thin hair. I had a horrifying flash
of panic for him as though he were me and I thought
I would like to see his thoughts. I thought maybe
they were saying What the hell am I doing at this
job still? although sense tells me he was frowning
in concentration, not consternation.
One night when I was babysitting I could not be
sure that the baby would keep breathing. I sat
near him for hours, listening for little puffs of air.
Never blow out a candle, pinch them out instead.
Candles are like souls.