ribs

i think about my ribs often

those twelve pairs of bone 

peaking shyly through my skin

an ivory cage 

protecting the gentle soul within

a single heart so alone

i have this vision

perhaps a distant memory 

deep within the collective realm

where i fly freely 

with beautiful wings drenched in milky feathers 

whimsically existing everywhere and no where all together 

my heart is open and unprotected, no bones at all to weigh me down

attachment and pride 

are synonymous with being chained to the ground 

the angel finally lands

delicately falling 

into the trap of selfish hands

where society hurts and projects

the aching soul inevitably reacts

with a mechanism to protect

wispy wings flutter with grace

before calcifying slowly 

curling within the cavity of the heart

Twelve stone fingers grasp around

As a barrier to keep suffering apart

Eve was born of this very bone

When God erased the notion

Of “being alone”

Perhaps this flesh is not a prison

rather the amoeba to a future decision

To rip open ribs and find your wings

embracing love within all things.