Thank You, Bones Poem by Robert Charles Howard

Thank you, bones for all you allow,
ambling on as I am wont to do
toward duty, doom or affirmation -
jumping for joy or folding a caress.

Why, without you I’d be grounded -
unable to dance the steps
or whirl to the tunes of the spherical muses.

You never raise a fuss -
All snug and quiet inside -
obeying orders to advance or fade.
(but my, what a rattle you’d all make
If it weren’t for all that juice and sinew!)

And thanks to you for subtle things
like marrowing out blood cells 24 - 7,
bending a cage for my heart
or forming a helmet for my brain.

Thanks to all 206 of you swell guys -
never angling for praise or acclaim.
I’d get you each a card.
but lack a place to send it.

Thanks bones!

May, 2008