Wednesday

There is a bone
deep in your chest
that doesn't attach to
any other bone. All the orthopedists
know its there but
are sworn and oathed
to never speak of it
it is their unicorn.

Here is what it looks like
oval but squared
at the corners
and a concave hollow
in the middle
like a candy dish
modern
you would find at Crate and Barrel. It has
a finish like
unfinished porcelain
the glaze left off
to give it a porosity
to both absorb and sweat
to let it breathe.

This is the bone you
feel your heartbreaks out of
you think its your heart that hurts
but everyone knows
bone pain beats muscle pain
hands down
the body had to find a something
worthy of heartache
to receive and hold it
and to transmit it
this is what it made.

Sometimes you will
curl up in that hollow there
and feel all the beauty
feel so much joy
and how you love everyone
and how they're stitched to you
with clear fishing line
long loops of it
shining and flashing in the sun
this is a good bone and
I am so happy here

but then it will come
in one way or another
a smudgy envelope come a long way
to your little keyed metal box
a red star on the envelope icon
your phone saying
the message is here for you now
you aren't waiting anymore
go on
open it
the words will vary
but you'll rearrange the letters to spell
what they say

I don't want you anymore

Do you see what I mean? This is why you
needed to know
about that magical creature
living in your chest
go sit on the table
covered in paper
in your orthopedist's office
and wait
in he comes
hands distracted
with chart and pen
he's made a promise
but watch for it
in his eyes
when he asks
what brings you here today
he has to glance at you
and you'll see it in the moment your eyes meet
you will
know he knows
and maybe that will comfort you

you had to know
the truth about
what exactly
hurts so much
you are not wanted anymore
but at least now
its not fictitious
its not
denied
its not your
dirty secret.