I am holding up the world, still
from a hospital bed
with tubes connected to a wall
I cannot move.
Even here,
the hard work of caretaking
caretakers and my self
all the while admiring
the strong muscles
I have sculpted to do this job,
wondering if I might find
a softer way.
Poem ©2025, Jen Payne. If you like this poem, you’ll love my new book SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS, on sale now!
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