A sling, a sling
A temporary thing
Let it preserve and protect
Let its knot graze your neck
Let it support the hanging weight
It’s anxious to ameliorate
Pull it as tight as it will go
You can loosen it (for show)
Remain comfortably contused
Until the tissues all are fused
Recover, repair and heal
Until your bone’s shot through with steel
Jemima Laing 