ribs & skin

your ribs & skin don’t hide your heart from me
it beats as if i were blind to pain meeting its greed
i put skins around your shame when you just put leaves
would you blame the gardner who put in the seed?

pulled skin over your ribs as my own sanctuary
as thorns overtook your chest, i pulled their weeds
as if their roots had became your artieries
you’ve resisted, but it’s not your hand that bleeds

you’ve removed your own rib under our tree
made yourself doctor, & decided your needs
no patience for my hands to do the surgery
take your hand from the stitches for mine to lead