Poetry

each sensation
that shakes your brain
like tremor
grief deeper
than the sum of all aches
agony travelling
through the bones
like free riders
on a passenger train
damp Novembers
that drip through the vein
like test tubes
blood bitter
and thicker
making you surrender
to each throb
dusking your soul
freezing the brain
when the skin remembers
each bruise and sting
like memory foam
madness lurking
in the corner
of each mouth
and conversation
just how much space
you take up with pain

I should not look at my body too soon, they said
these swollen and bruised breasts
one nipple pointing higher, the other laying low
neither should I show you
stubs that used to nurse you
for so long they provided comfort when you were upset
can I mourn yet? or cells from these cancerful breasts will travel
to the rest of my body
brows thinning and medicines making me so sick
I won’t want to get out of bed, they said
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