bellybutton

bellybutton
by Halifax

artifact of belonging

twisted memory laid fleshless
bulges herniated toward arrival
puckered at a tailor’s knot set to hold us in place

even handedness in outcome
absence mars warlike natures
welcomed past the fold where stitches get snipped

the tether slit sets us each free
to cry screaming bloody murder
too wide on this side to ever pass backward alive

this the first scar is not the last
as a score tied zero slips to one
buying up hunger’s membership at wholesale cost

a door slammed finger pulsates
for loving mother to nurse the cut
but not this wound left festering
it must dry out and fall off alone

holes align at the part in the veil
for stops to push right on through
and hold fast their entire lifetime
ensuring peace on the other side