Chief Complaint

A dull pain caused by sharp objects

A broken thermometer of shame

These shards of glass

A dumpster truck of mercury

Like chemical burns, my insides

Their own superfund site

An occupational exposure

Of being alive

Associated with

Varying degrees of whole mind

Paralyses

Associated with me

And what is the differential anyway,

For an agonizing self-doubt

That radiates down the back

Relieved at times and only slightly

by scalding hot showers

and rest

Made worse by

Movement

Thought

Other people

Breathing

And above all

Self