My Back

in ,

By Zilpa Oduor

Tension is real

Each time I feel you aching from within, begging me to

stop

You deserve better.


It’s winter time and my shoulders tense up

We were not built for the cold

Relaxing means that the pressure descends

You deserve better.


A study session off campus

I don’t need all these books but I carry them anyway

You hold on with everything you’ve got until you cannot anymore,

I sit

You deserve better.


Flashbacks and responsibilities

Scared to confront the past, running means carrying others

It’s easier this way and I can feel you caving in, hold on just a while longer

You deserve better.


Perhaps the massage chair will help

Some BenGay and a heating pad to ease your pain

I wish we could spend more time in this moment but…

You deserve better.


I know you do

But we can’t stop

There is work to do and people counting on you

I’ll carry a tote or a briefcase, but they too are heavy

Damn

I deserve better.

 

Zilpa Oduor '18 (zoduor@wellesley.edu) wishes for you (and herself) healing, peace, and love. From the May 2018 issue.