A Poem For The Chronically Ill
Soothing word play
Tonight, make our bed with clean sheets —
the soft flannels
Pull back the comforter
guide me onto my stomach
Remove my clothes —
gently, gently
Lay your warm hands on my skin —
I’ll let in your nourishing
Light the massage oil candles —
drip them on my shoulders
Allow waxy oil to roll down my blades,
curving spine
Brush the oil over me —
gently, gently
Press your hands into my hips —
I’ll feel your warm love
cooling my fiery pain
Kiss behind my knees and ankles —
let me fall asleep
and keep laying hands on me
until you see I’ve dream-flown
to a painless world
Lay the flannel sheets against my anointed skin —
set the flaming candles on your nightstand
blow them out
One
Two
Three
Press your lips —
feathered into the crook of my neck
whisper into my dream
I love you
Turn down the light —
I’ll try to sleep this pain away
