The Family Closes

The family closes ranks.
She was loved once
removed. Now
her reflexes grow poor,

yield to new fear,
as he becomes attractive.
Shame hurts the wholeness
in tired limbs,

no longer touched,
whose touchstone
has gone missing,
and may be replaced

by how it was
with all of them
before her, advancing
and in wait.

Between Sizes

Everywhere refuses
to be touched.
The softer often

of this mid-range
found by living
with prospective knowing

as though
the elements
had some choice.