2013/02/15

Trademark

She always wears a bow in her hair. A big one, high against her crown — not absurdly so, not little-girlish or floppy, but visible from the front, adorning neatly drawn-back locks.

In her office or the courtroom, subdued and professional, coordinated with her suit much as her colleagues might choose a necktie.

On the weekends, more playful: a rainbow or a spray of polka-dots or simply a bright, happy pink.

Always a proud declaration of her femininity, no matter the circumstances, no matter how serious her mien.

A collection of such quirks is eccentricity. A single one, such as hers, is a trademark.

I allow her to keep her trademark bow whenever I take from her what I demand. With a nice pair of heels it makes a lovely outfit.

— Frenulum

2013/02/08

Thought

Each test well-ordered.
Invading scanners aimed
With with careful skill:
Blood and dye; flesh turned beacon
Narrowcasting to the expert eye.

Each word well-reasoned,
With kindness seasoned or not,
As is the giver’s wont. Spoken
Quietly in the dark, or with ringing
Magnet, hammer, tremor, spark.

A draught, a bolus, another prick
Adding or drawing. A cocktail
Of a nature unsought. Panel,
Figure, score; abnormal: out of range.
White council, gathered as for war.

Each diagnosis,
Each trial,
Each guess,
Each given drop
Another thread high-arcing,
Settling. Tightening.
Singly, soft and light:
Bearable. But:

Together, as I am aground,
Leaving me
Gulliver, helpless bound.

— Frenulum