That night we were sure

we were meant to be larger than this –

our days chewed to ragged edges

by invisible silverfish of doubt,

the wilderness of our interiors

whittled down to embattled networks

of trachea and lung.

Surely we were meant

for greater volume,

more picaresque mobility –

to ease our expanse

into the coves and inlets of this harbour,

to transact freely

with air frosted with salt,

to trace the distant contours

of promontories with our gazes,

yes, and even leave

our footprints on the sand.

At what point did we forget

that we could be actors

in this daily extravaganza

of space?