BODYCRY

Her body lies
in a heap.
Left to wither
from her neglect of it,
from her hatred of it.

She's housed in it
But punishes it
denying it love,
denying it nurturing.

“You created me--
Why do you hate me so?”

You do not listen to my needs--
but rather
deprive me of sleep when I'm tired,
ignore my tension, my pain,
wait too long to feed me
or stuff food down me to numb your emotions.

Must I scream at the top of my lungs
to get your attention
'til you grudgingly respond
just enough
to silence
my most piercing tones?

How much abuse must I take?

See for yourself what you have created...
This broken, dazed and crumpled form,
despairing of ever receiving love.

Will you ever notice me?
Feel compassion for me?
Love or nurture me?

If you did,
would I recognize it?
Would I understand it?

Resigned to my fate

I lie here just out of reach.
Safely withdrawn
from any possible connection.

Weep for me.


harmony gates 1993