I mostly post my poetry first on Instagram, (unless it is a patron-exclusive poem). Then, each Sunday here on the blog, I post the poem that has got the most Insta likes.

If you’re on Instagram, let’s follow each other. You’ll find my account Orna Ross.poetry here.

The poems are inspired by photographs, sometimes taken by me, sometimes by others.

My most popular poem on Instagram this week was “Muscle”.

And now for this week’s poem:

Muscle

It is only because
he comes bearing
a fragile pelvis
that harbours the organs
of life, and want, and waste,
and a chest of air that circulates
bubbles of being,
and holds the delicate beating
of his wayward heart in place

that he has the muscle
to meet this moment,
hold it in his grasp
and with a deep gasp
of concentration,
flex his strength,
and lift the weight of it aloft
high above his head.

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