Scents cascade upon you
From soft vanilla of your lotionshed friend
To the acidic sweat of a overlay passionate basketball game
But there’s also the sterile sight of your sister hospitals room
The metallic tang of yourself released blood
You can taste the pepper in your grandmother’s soup
Feel every grain in your mothers undivided jello
Sense the silk buttercream of your first ever birthday cake
But don’t forget the bitterness of half swallowed pills
The burning acid from half digested meals
You have eyes so bright blue, a family heirloom
Observing the details of humanity
The way the olive green of your room shifts with the sunlight
Lilac purple and cream white of your mothers tulips
They see the tears of friends once had
A tombstone of one long since passed
Your hands feel every texture of the world
To the soft cotton of your favorite quilt
Granulated dirt of the garden outside
Your ears hear the music of the world
Birds chirping as you walk to school
A chorus of community at your dear sisters concerts
But they also hear the sirens
The haggard gasps of loving mother
Oh, body
I hate you
I love you
But you are me
And I am you
WILDsound Writing Festival 