For Atlas, When She's Tired

It's all in the knuckles, 

You see,

And that knot 

In the middle 

Of your back.

As long as you 

Focus

And keep it still 

And taut

And controlled

When the water 

Starts to creep 

From your eyes

And your lip 

Twitches 

Like a mutinous

Little spy - 

That's when you have to

Squeeze tighter 

And harder

Just a little bit 

Longer.

Because it's all resting

On you, 

You see,

And you won't break 

If you don't want to,

And if you falter

Then everything, 

Everything,

Falls to the floor 

With a splash 

And a thud

And the crowd 

Just stares at their shoes

While you stand there, 

Shivering -

Just another naked girl

With nothing to hold on to.