he was a part

of you

sinew blood

and tissue

a lifeline

denied

red-blue river

dried within

twisted cords

still beauty

swaddled

tip toes

and apologies

distract yet

the quiet

returns

pump acceleration

hardly contained within

osseous cage

as I answer

the call

nerves bathed

in anesthetic

numb contracting

muscles

but certainly not

the pain

you tell me

you feel empty

because

he was a part

of you

sinew blood

and tissue