Monolithic Veins

Heat cracks open.

Salt along the neck.

Iron in the throat.

The marrow turning cold.

Dead weight on the mattress.

Wet fabric on the ribs.

Waiting

for the pulse

to strike the floor.

Heavy.

Damp.

Hold it down.

Deep inside.

One drop of water

running down the spine.

Ice on the skin.

The ceiling pressing low.

Each breath

drawn through water.

Rusted joints locked in the wood.

Sinking slowly

through stone.

Becoming sediment.

No movement

left inside the bone.

Sheets turn to wet stone.

Friction against the skin.

Clinging to the plaster.

The body is cold.

Gravity is a lead apron.

Pulling the lungs

down into the silt.

The floor is pulling.

Holding

every nerve.

Fabric soaked in brine.

Air

growing thick.

Static beneath

the collarbone.

Pinned

under pressure.

Nothing lifts.

Heat

cracks

open. Salt. Heavy. Damp.

Sinking down.