Chronic Pain

A clench. A knife’s edge. Loose gravel at every corner. Sludge. A labyrinth of dead ends. A bruise that won’t heal. A painting that weeps. The scent of blood. Two breaths from hope, one breath from despair. Unrelenting physical pain is the only reason a soul does not regret suicide writes the medium, on page 78. An unbroken scream for love. A scratch at the door where dark meets light. A long and restless sleep. Scripture in a foreign language. A monster in a closet of skin. Gentleness, veiled. Boulders of sorrow falling through water. A portal. A retreat. Laughter in a cage. The incessant urge to resurrect. A layer of loathing that will not scrub off. A restless ache for the hands of Jesus. A sculpture of rock and bone.