My Advocate in the World


My mind, my advocate in the world, upon hearing of the arrival of pain, leaves its residence in my head and flies to the side of my emotions, like the minister cat who licks my hand in sympathy.

This is why those in pain liedown. So that their bodies may know others will come to their aid. So that they may receive communion from God in the form of a pink tongue just now.

Just now.

My wails and weeping drive my children away from my womb in retreating fear that their mother cannot look after them.

Helpless, I cannot care for myself, the patient, whose mind has no keeper. We watch as the belly swells and ebbs in measure with grief.

Comments

  1. Anonymous12:10 PM

    brave
    she dares
    she shares
    from within the blanket of pain
    imaginary friends
    like cotton-stuffed animals
    on the other side listening
    a button-eyed vigil

    brave
    she dares
    words so fragile
    made strong
    in a bed made circus tent
    she bows (with an ache)
    her audience charmed
    by the feat
    applauds with silent
    gratitude


    (impromptu "artististic response", as gl. would say)

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  2. Hang in there Shelley! Sounds really gruesome. Wish I could be there to give you a hug.... but then maybe not! Perhaps distance is safer at a time like this.

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  3. poets, all...


    Bravo!

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  4. Thanks Jeffery and Mike. Don't worry, I don't throw things ;~B

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  5. Anonymous9:53 AM

    Cyber-hug. Hope you are feeling better.

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  6. Anonymous3:37 PM

    Dearest Shelley... This post has me worried... are you OK? I hope the sadness leaves you and that you find peace again. Blessings to you...

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  7. Thank you for concern, I'm on the mend.

    The poetry is new but the ordeal is regular, all my life, my trips to hell. I had a lovely girl friend when I was 13 who told me with sparkled eyes how delighted she was to get her period as it made her feel like a real grown up woman. I can still recall the look on my face that I shot at her, as though she were out of her cotton-picking mind and from Pluto with six arms. Some have no trouble or at least not much. I however, go through pretty near the pain of childbirth every three weeks. If I had actually given birth each time it felt like it, I'd have over 372 kids by now. No wonder I look so tired, it's all really aged me.

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