THIS BODY, this rapture

by Lynn Strongin

THIS BODY, this rapture
Invasions coming like whispers
I can I get back to her?

Wavers hold history in their palms:
Before apple-time
In the gentler times

Shepherd crooks & palms
Dig more deeply
Into the world of the rocking chair, the fine arts.
          This box, the body—between falling & being helped a terrifying time:
          Under the bone’s gunman.