Cradled

one or two
notes
is all that it takes
to slip, slide
ease me
into
this day

words unimportant
crooning alone
takes my soul
outward and onto
the floor
a lonely stringed
angel
reminds me to sing

and sinew and marrow
react, contract, give back
to my pain
release every bubble
caught in the cracks
snapping
popping
whopping
whooping, tapping
rapping

free as wood
strikes
and pulls me back in
to my being
my self
take my skin

off that shelf...
leave regret in its place
wrap it 'round where
the cold has seeped
and let it keep
me in

cradled
smooth cheek
rough feet
lined brow
held now
whirling
free in
me