He manages like somebody carrying a box   
that is too heavy, first with his arms
underneath. When their strength gives out,   
he moves the hands forward, hooking them   
on the corners, pulling the weight against   
his chest. He moves his thumbs slightly   
when the fingers begin to tire, and it makes   
different muscles take over. Afterward,
he carries it on his shoulder, until the blood   
drains out of the arm that is stretched up
to steady the box and the arm goes numb. But now   
the man can hold underneath again, so that   
he can go on without ever putting the box down.