this is part of a bigger collaboration piece that
i did a few years ago with some other poets. i
took it and reworked it a little to let it
stand alone. s

mornings wonder day #2

curled on my side
dawn lighting pale blue
on white walls
i glance then fix on
my bare forearm and hand.
look closer, trace veins with my gaze
note the coloring the
slight pulse beat at the wrist.

i try to recall how this arm looked

at 16

18

20

i couldn't

but i could see it

at 4

5

the small curled white fingers thin nails

smooth

the ridges of my fingerprints

delicate, soft

why why was the child so easily seen

the young adult lost?

unsettled i turned to the wall.