When she played the accordion

it seemed the audience might be there

just to see a young girl force herself to breathe

hands apparently squeezing her ribs and letting go

Under the flexible body  the musical

geography of bone  and within it

a  pale drafty idea of stability

She picked up the black book of explanations

of music and breathing they came to understand

She opened to the page that asks for no dancing

no coughing or applause  and placing her fingers

against the buttons and unlocking the ribs  she began

from afar to skillfully demonstrate the air