THIS STRANGE FLESH

Whose flesh is this? This isn’t right-

Sensations shifting day and night

It seems like mine - in here I dwell

But close my eyes and I can’t tell

Where I begin or where I end

Betrayed by that, my so-called friend

And while outside I look so good

Within, things don’t work like they should

Confused T-cells gnaw at my wires

Misled by something that misfires

They slip into my brain to chew

Devouring things I once could do

And parts of me just cease to work

And I’m left in this state of quirk

Fighting to regain some control

(But screaming in my very soul)

Because they just go on and on

Gnawing, gnawing until I’m gone.

Barbara Robinson 03/23/10