Michiko Dead
Jack Gilbert

He manages like somebody carrying a box
that is too heavy, first with his arms

underneath. When their strength gives out,

he moves the hands forward, hooking then

on the corners, pulling the weight against

his chest. He moves his thumbs slightly

when the fingers begin to tire, and it makes

different muscles take over. Afterward,

he carries it on his shoulder, until the blood

drains out of the arm that is stretched up

to steady the box and the arm goes numb. But now

the man can hold underneath again, so that
he can go on without ever putting the box down.