The Anatomy Lesson

Knitting
plucking
stringing
my raw nerves
brings so much
comfort
between the clawed walls
of others.

Lungs filled
with the grey haze of
self-pity
strain
to keep me
afloat.

I clutch at any numbing
excess -
never enough
for this mammoth
body
/
brain.

A stroke
to crucify
my neurons
with mercury blows
- it never comes.