homebody

the vessel that carries her

through every ocean,

the home she nourishes, neglects, then relies on

through every storm,

is the body that shelters her,

rooms brimming with organs

metamorphic, perhaps only to her

and stronger than she could ever perceive

*

first came her mind,

her bedroom enclosure

where each day began and ended,

her pillow a gateway to lucidity

she dreamt in colours bright and bold

dipped her mind in molten gold

then tempered thoughts at will

but her sheets were white

and she surrendered to prescribed feelings ,

perhaps she feared this part of home most,

Trojan horses unleashed uninvited moods

the knight repeatedly put her in check

and her nightlight beamed for protection

as melatonin suppressed entangled voices,

those peaceful hours her barometer for wellness

until she awoke so palpably alive,

her face awash in sunlight

*

then her stomach would crave reprieve

and she would journey forth to kitchen islands,

a room of comfort and wonderful creation,

an ode to her culture

in all its vividity,

pans teemed with spices and extracted memories

of all the hands before that guided hers,

if only the relationship stayed so unipolar

but ghrelin truly was the devil

and now her abdomen sought respite

for it remained at the mercy of persuasive parts,

night often drew her from bed to pantry

mind to stomach, an unapologetic impulse,

an avalanche through mazed intestines

antithetical to her own brittle intent

yet paradoxically, amongst this diet of guilt

lay inseparable gratitude for each mouthful

*

four limbs now hastened her onwards

to watch crimson skies bleed in the West,

outside was perhaps where she felt most free,

she would run through the night

irrepressibly drown herself in its folds

relish in the garden’s good graces

inured by its blossoms

as her legs took flight

and relinquished weighted thoughts,

her fingers traced written engravings

carved by smaller hands in worn out trees ,

years and scar tissue had gift wrapped

fractured bones that fractured progress

and forced abdication of hard-earned futures,

but her legs dutifully upheld the trunk

and slowly, she allowed herself to admire

the power in this part of her home

*

then her heart contracted devotedly,

this room had walls adorned with family

four chambers four members

beating synchronously,

perhaps the part of home she held closest,

blood flowed from her veins

formed everlasting ties

pooled at her core, then lungs and returned

to alight scarlet arteries,

reoxygenated by sisters’ laughter

from gatherings on carpet floors

rejuvenated and anew,

it was here she would beg time for leniency

until her valves slowed their motions

and her rate rested

for in no other room was it so effortless

to have a good time

*

although some days her blueprint would not fit

and even Dali would struggle to interpret the distortions,

she learned to embrace her home,

to appreciate the parts that made her whole

and cherish the body

that wrote her story

and kindly housed her soul.