TW: Violence
Not all fears are outgrown, and one does not have to cut them to keep living. The poetry collection "Draped On My Bones" explores different fears intricately connected to the human body. The proof of fear lies within the unspoken spaces and shades of the figure. And as it shadows the very vessel of our being, fears play a crucial role in our choices, words, and other decisions.
Notably, it can be rooted in traumatic experiences and bring about flashbacks that cause terror. But sometimes, it can be the driving force to continue or be the foundation of one's strength.
The collection does not tackle whether it is more fear-based or strength-sourcing. Instead, it chooses to enunciate that there are fears that stay within our lives forever. It is very much possible to live and prevail while grappling with phobias. There’s no shame in having it draped on our bones.
I. Mute Order
Staple lip against the other
Plaster them over old wound
Leave a taste of tarnished maroon
The steps to a mute order
First eight hours with the lips sewn tight
Air barely stays in body
Like labyrinths, paths, a study
Yet string doesn't set things right
Stomach howls wolf but she cares not
For the thirst for words sharpen
Scrape at throat like bitter bourbon
Yet stays in silence to rot
The hammering heart hides a crypt
In spaces, no ear listens
Where her bystander admissions
Lay to rest, like all hush-lipped
Follow these vows for mute order
Glimpse shackles in teeth chatters
Phrases pound, cause heart murmur
Quiet - a serial murder
II. Barefoot Marathon
Hands reach for stones to excuse
Gravity's grip from barefoot boy
Purple feet with staining bruise
Frontline's experience in deploy
Be blind to absence or lone
Keep pushing on land versus wind
Even when clean breaking bone
If tears synonymous with skinned
Outrace yesterday's ghost
And win over future's victor
Exceeds yet calls it almost
Does barefoot marathon once more
World knows he loses to none
But never wins to anyone
Boy ignores, does one more run
Plays like Icarus and his sun
III. Draped On My Bones
Draped on my bones is my skin
Where people's hands' caressed and pinched
Concealed organs, and other cut-ins
Canvas of me in each inch
Figure parallel to theirs
Yet clearly mine, yours, no in between
Labeled by self-intimate affairs
Fear's touch in stretch marks they've seen
Yellow shades at soles clearest
Meanwhile, pale lips hold the most creases
Spot kaleidoscope eyes easiest
Ten fingers wrong most pieces
Anatomy bared the I
With darker secrets nobody asked for
Labels of Phobos, no more reply
Despite the trauma we wore
Draped on my bones evermore
Are manic shadows impersonating fear
Declared sole body for blood and gore
Fleshed out shape akin to gear
Will I ever live without my bones?
Never.
Therefore fear will accompany
Forever.