Does soft it make
the shins of a child

when thick skin is
not a question of

susceptibility or blistering?
That during their brief

time in this hemisphere,
they are thankful that

they haven’t been
jumped. That they can

flaunt their wingspan
at all is something to be

admired and not frantic
about. Look out the window

and please tell me where
you don’t see the after-

math of heliotherapy.
Where is it exactly that

you enjoy being judged
as stiff as the larynx

of a tight chest. This
life of first impressions,

of shakes ranked by
their unyielding grip.

All the muscles I’m aware of
restore best while at rest.