Cord

As I
Trace my finger down her spine
the world slowly dissolves to light
every rock,
sinew of thousand year trees,
orange peel, idea,
(in your dreaming,
I know)
love itself.

My fingers on
cervical vertebrae.
her bones are mountains
explored by my digits
Who leave flags to mark
their affection.
(Mine, if only during slumber)

Down to
Thoracic Vertebrae--
Not to be confused
with Jurassic vertebrae--
Though
in creaking
they almost seem
to roar against
my careful excavations
of tender fossils
telling tales
of their demise.
(My fingers tremble)

To the Lumbar Vertera

(I can almost sense
you waking now,
soft intervals of breath.
Hold.
Be at peace.)

To your Sacrum and Coccyx

(Your sharp inhaling.
Let me bother you no more.)