My chest (still breathes in neglect)
...
My throat swallowed the silence
...
My back (continues to carry the guilt)
...
My feet dragged the loneliness
...
“where do you feel your body ache?”, she asked
-my younger self answered
I hold the neglect inside my chest
for all the times I held my breath to hide
for all the times I betrayed the voice inside
I hold the pain of silence within my throat
I sat in place with no breathing space
for the years spent in the sunken place
I hold the guilt weighing on my back
for all the privileges I couldn't extend
Didn’t know colonization to this extent
I hold the loneliness within my feet
For all the days I braved this path unwalked
to break cycles of habit to survive the aftershock
Yes... the body keeps score
I do not yet know how to release them out altogether
to make room for something new to nurture