boats of mercy

Every part of us 

alerts another part.
Press a spot 

in the tender arch and

feel the scalp 

twitch. We are no 

match for ourselves 

but our own release.
Each touch 

uncatches some 

remote lock. Look, 

boats of mercy 

embark from 

our heart at the 

oddest knock.

 

[Kay Ryan {1945- } 'Chinese Foot Chart', from The Niagara River]