PUNK POETRY: A good indicator of health by Kristin Houlihan

A good indicator of health

 

There’s a price for preparing breakfast—

“Mommy makes it best!”—

pleading for my children to wake Daddy,

can’t let them see my fear

as I lie paralyzed on the couch,

thankful 

to retain the power 

of speech.

 

I no longer

wash my own hair and body,

my once-a-week shower 

leaves me

collapsed in bed, 

with leaden limbs.

 

My entire body quivers

with the effort of the trek 

from bathroom to couch,

as I grip my rollator

like a marathoner 

clinging to support as they

stumble

across the finish line.

 

But, good news!

The doctor declares me

healthy, 

for every 28 days

I bleed.


--Kristin Houlihan 

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