The hurt too much
Can’t begin
Politics too stressful
Can’t move
The loneliness too long
Can’t speak it
Tired

What to do?

Put your hand on my stomach
Tell me you believe
The monster in my gut
Swirling and screaming
Tell me you love me anyway
The hurt on all sides
Pinning my shoulders down into my sex
Tell me you will stay

What to do?

The hurt all through like a vibration
And forbidden long ago from saying it hurts
or why
The hurt all through like a flowering field

What to do?

All thoughts have gone to mush
All feelings have turned to stone, have crumbled, are scattered by desultory winds
I cannot stand up in this place
Time is up
I fail

What to do?