Explore UAB

Erica Dawson

BPR 52 | 2025

—A group of tendons, ligaments, and muscles which “lock” major joints in the limbs of a horse. It’s the mechanism by which a horse can sleep standing up.

I may survive the tall sweetgum’s star leaves
waving in the late thunderstorm’s remnants

if I can lock my limbs in child’s pose
and stay that way for three four five six days

outstretched but folded like I’m comfortably
longing           and it’s all very fortunate

and vaguely religious as it looks like my
floor lamp is an idol to which I’m bowing

and yoga flow could fix me someone said
so there you go two birds etc

I’m healed      very good timing since the wind
mixed in the leaves sounds like a sighing post

disaster reverent for what was lost
relieved so awfully beautiful I want

to make it all for me and pass away
leaving the suffering just in the leaves

of the sweetgum turned from their satiny
dark green to wan yellow in pale pale November