Hanging/Dangling

black-rimmed catch phrases posted up

with crimped paper, i know i have a bird on the corner

but no one seems to mind its squawking

until i say a word. but hey, who knew that i would not end up

in the corner because i incorrectly thought the metal casing for

the light fixtures curved out from the ceiling just enough

to let me pass rolled-up sheet through—i’ll admit i’m no good with knots

but this one doesn’t have to hold too long: only two three minutes

tops, as long as i can leap from my desk

and resist the urge to sway my legs over for help, solid ground

while i count my pennies in my head inside your used coffee can;

i like to feel the stiffness around my neck,

maybe enough so i can vomit or cry and let every ugly thing

spew from my body—i have a black suit, so everything will show—

i will like the stiffness for one more time, the last time

and let the stiffness hold me forever until i am found:

i love my darkblue bed sheets: they are sturdy, strong, reliable

and they can always hold me—around, tightly,

but mostly up and tightly.