the blue-green veins
traced beneath the skin around my wrist
distract me
I press my fingertip against one,
feel its soft throb,
and am suddenly aware of an intangible something
pulsing and quivering inside me
a graceful tangle of muscles,
its arching curves contracting, expanding
and red blood rippling smoothly
through countless veins and arteries.

somewhere along their labyrinthine lengths
they split and fray
into a warm net of fine threads.

abruptly, I feel sorry for my heart
caught in such a dark cage.

sorry, because it has never felt
the bright sun.