In the Bones, I Lie

Scour the paint
          Straight through the drywall
                    Until biceps ache and nails bleed.

On hands and knees
          Horse hair against baseboards
                   Until it’s white until it’s white.

Windows to the overgrown thistle
          Washed inside and outside and inside
                    Plucking trapped, motionless flies — fly.

Closet ripped open
          Smells like you, air feels like you
                    Clothes in a box or in a plastic bag?

Can’t sit down, no time for rest
          Must get it right must get it clean
                    Reveal the sturdy bones holding me

                                                                           together.

Syd Warren is an allied health worker supporting children along the autism spectrum. She spends her weekends organizing the swarm of words in her head and posing for avant-garde, artistic, fashion, and horror photoshoots.