I placed you in the box,
the padded box that seemed too small
torn from galloping heart,
fingers fumbling for stubborn clasp,
I focus for just one moment
Place you in that small padded box.


I watch as,
night tucks away all things
As bed bugs are wished away
But teem beneath the sheets
As closets checked for monsters
whisper into darkness:
            “things not always as they seem.”


You, the necklace, must agree,
For I laid with such ease,
            Your slinking arms
            Your solid charm
That was winning to anyone
            You met.

And I watched whenever I could,
To ensure the box was still,
but then again
who’s to say
That I wasn’t just moving,
In opposite directions
            With myslinking arms
            And lack of charm
That shied away with
            That very same ease.

But either way,
Living independently,
Our motions certainly did not cancel,
Whatever it was that we did-
And no matter
how carefully you were lain-
You awoke tangled.