RESONANCE
 
Through the chorus of beeps and bangs
my body sang – every bit of skin
and flesh resisting the restraint –
the draw of the machine
imaging my insides
like Superman I lay, face down
in a blue hospital gown
instead of cape, dozing,
and dreamt of a girl
flashing engagement rings.
 
Jewelry-free I felt a quiver
in my muscles mimicking
her proud wave, her tender
hand. And then another scene:
on the monkey bars,
a child swings,
followed by an actual monkey,
leathery palm open –
a reach, a desire to grasp
coursed through me
and I loosened my grip
on the dream, breathed,
muffled a scream.
 
 
Betsy Mars
Torrance, CA

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