Once for railroad relays
the 19 inch standard conveys
of its faded ancestors.
But steel racks enclose
in formidable pose
anything shoulder-width:
computer, or woman.
He dons stirrups mounting strips
reserved a rack just for her
middle of her middle
where he chooses to meddle.
Pinioned in rail economy
they’re new standards —
modernity, manhood,
the not yet superseded.
And must brace against
coming reckonings
of rusting slides
& hollowed frames.
