let's become zeppelin pilots
I'll bring the goggles and the frayed scarves
you'll sit behind the big chair, up against the ribbed walls
until I gesture you over and tell you it's your turn
to press the bronze buttons and pull the levers
(careful, they're heavy, lean back
put your legs into it: they talk about
'pilot's shoulder' in dark smoky pubs
where veterans sip green drinks
and, unable to find shame in their scars, boast of them
and of invisible pains.
maybe in the future we'll find ways to share
the hidden things without ripping out sinews and showing
the torn, lacy edges; until then)
levers clunked into place, take a seat
check the ballast and the wind, listen
the engine grumbles at the passing city
*closes eyes and imagines drifting in a dirigible*