These Bones
These bones
All two-hundred and six of them
They carry me out into the world where eagles soar and lions roar
These bones
They support me
When I feel like I’m falling apart, the strength of their ligaments holds me together
These bones
Do their best to protect my most vulnerable organs
And I remember the talons that pierced my tender flesh
And marred and scarred the walls of my heart
In their multiple merciless unsuccessful missions to extract my soul
Each assault
Left me bruised, battered, and broken
Flesh fluttered like bloody ribbons on a macabre maypole
Yes
These bones
My bones
They strengthen, support, protect, and propel me onward
These twenty-six bones in each of my feet
They ground me
Sinker roots drill down and anchor me in the present
These twenty-seven bones in each of my hands and wrists
Invite me to hold each moment gently, to reach for stars, heal from my scars and offer blessings to humanity
These femurs
The longest and strongest bones in my body remind me that I am strong and that I belong
These stapes in each middle ear, the smallest and lightest bones in my body, remind me that purpose trumps metrics
And the only thing that matters is that I fulfill my destiny
These bones
My bones
My beautiful bones
They tell me
That no matter what happens, they will never desert me, and they will complete their mission
Until I bid them farewell and they return to dust.
