The Harrowing (Part II) - Regrets, rebellions and revelations
“Out, out damn spot...”
In this episode, I describe the horrid aftermath of taking medication I had intuitively felt was working against me. In order to feel better at foregoing the prescription, I seek out my doctor and become grimly reminded of how little help and support I have. But slowly, surely, I rally myself and seek out answers from an unconventional source.
Jeune Homme nu assis au bord de la mer (Young Male Nude Sitting by Sea), 1835-36, Hippolyte Flandrin - Louvre, Paris
Enduring Illness (Opera macilentum - III)
The bubbles, buoyant toys,
Soldiers with their boats
I would stand wet, chubby skin,
dripping,
shivering,
A towel
given to me,
A towel
Wrapped around me,
being lifting out of the
tub,
beads of water
skipping back over my skin
into the white bubbles.
A towel…
There are no more toys...
no bubbles, to move even the
slightest is to wince, not lifted, I am slower.
foot over the edge onto
The bathmat.
I dry my reddening hair,
sad limbs,
dry my stomach
Internal inflammation,
Pale skin,
My ribs...
I count each one
Exposed,
Before glancing into the
Mirror with all my
striving questions…
2003 - (c) Christijan Robert Broerse