Holly Day has taught writing classes at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota since 2000. Her poetry has recently appeared in Tampa Review, SLAB, and Gargoyle. Her published books include Walking Twin Cities, Music Theory for Dummies, and Ugly Girl.

On Paper

4, the tendons of the foot, sinew stretched taut
as rubber bands, cat gut. 4 is also
an exposed thigh bone, close to an (n), horizontal and lateral
lines on a map of a body flayed open for investigation.

4(e), a silent scream, or a smile, a sarcastic smirk, a laugh
aborted. Two teeth missing, knocked out in some
forgotten fight, buried beneath
a flap of cheek skin, practiced
disarming shyness.

4 (o), three circular vesicular ports
mark the place of the engine that drives all men
removed carefully with the top layer of skin
safely placed where it will do no (more) harm.

[image: Angelico | Lisa Nilsson]