I. tissue
an ivory start, a deep
golden lock of hair and
a magnifying glass.
items only seen in a
mirror that bends
at will—
an opening. born
out of necessity,
a means to an end.
my mother’s tissue is
expanding to fit us all.
II. tether
i am unsure if there is a rope
or a feeling tethering us together,
hand to hand
i am unsure if there is a rope
or a feeling tethering us together,
palm to palm
i am unsure if there is a rope
or a feeling tethering us together,
through the fingerprints we share
III. trial and toothache
a sack of blood [and] oranges
i carry with me over and over,
a repeated practice
until my knuckles are weary
and i can no longer support their
purple insides and pith.