Athena Chou

Twirling like gymnasts
we constantly breathe 
through the quivering

Our equilibrium is work

Every layer
of skin remembers a kiss—
the puff of 
air,
to be felt, 
still warm

The tape doesn’t stick,
it listens

If you hold me,
I will hold you
in the ups and downs
and at rest

Not even the absence of words
takes a side

Words accumulate—
then slide
then reestablish
yet again

We’re not on our feet,
we are discovering
how to stay