put lips to old pain
feel it flutter and still
poison drawn, paused
these untidy
memories and broken bits of games
horror of untethered high-wires
and never good enough
lifetime’s untruths, dissembling
nervous-held handbag
run tongue over protrusions
puffed proud tissue
give it wine, buy clothes
in the body aches
pleasurepunish chafes
adorned, adored
addictions rise from secret spots
manacles like friends
again, again, again
strip away snailsmooth streaks
knife scars, sear words
seal it up
momentary grace
It’s been more than a month since my last post, argh! I’ve been working 100% and the time just slips by. It’s a rather doomy poem to return with. Inspired by an excellent podcast featuring Russell Brand and Gabor Mate on addiction and past trauma. Short version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQwP0XRBjq4 Long version (worth it!) here: https://www.russellbrand.com/podcast/053-dr-gabor-mate-damaged-leaders-rule-addicted-world/
Photo: Ivan Bandura on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/@unstable_affliction