the way to keep a lifeless body upright
is not to prop her against the gurgling belly of a wall
but to curl her over herself and let her limbs dangle

lay her over the arch of the couch
raise the swing to set two feet off the ground
and let her float in halves

throw her over your shoulder as you carry her higher
and she will memorize the bruises of her kneecaps,
the way the spine cradles the subject

how gravity told her to cut her hair
to avoid being stepped on, how she is hefted
with the same grudge as a spare tire

when she mourns her losses she mourns in doubles
what happens and what happens when she remembers
it is easier to saw herself in two than have to live it twice

fold her hamburger style twice then hotdog once
bring her shoulder blades together until her ribs
are forced to not break even

tuck chin to collarbone, knees to chest
heels to upper thighs
and toss her in the dryer

mid-cycle, remember
that you’re supposed to hang dry your delicates
take her to the backyard

let her be an unfurled banner that has not been inscribed dead
and leave her until she drip dries into the dirt
until flowers bloom under her feet