Button me up

Button me up

Keep me tightly bound

Lest the skin be stripped

Clean from my body

It is a vicious wind

To be locked out...in

Nothing can prepare

A simple man

For the complexity

Of change

As its direction

Of approach is

Forever turning.

Waiting for momentum

To collect thoughts

Reveals little

As the light fades

In the conclave

Heavy are the clouds

Approaching

Brittle are the bones

Beneath dry, thin skin

They crumble

In adversity

The heart lies exposed

Too frequently

Its hopeful rhythm disrupted

Stretched tightly

Nerves sing rancorous

Jingle jangles

Every sinew

In extensor

Fighting to remain connected

There is naked ambition

To be saved

Eventually, unconditionally

Button me up

Turn my collar

Link arms

Stand firm

Whistle a happy tune

Though it be whipped

From lightly pursed lips

Together

We will endure.