Breath & Shadow

Spring 2013 - Vol. 10, Issue 2

"Withdrawal"

written by

Ani Keaten

My limbs heavy like magnets

attracted to the earth’s core

My arms like granite—

My back, a twig,

trembles.

I know each rib intimately

Its size, shape and placement

My skin is the olive’s

thin

Invisible

and dark

I am the externality

marginal

superfluous

inflamed.

I need more

give less

require exception

Decrease the surplus populace

Ani Keaten is a poet, English grad, and MBA student, as well as an amateur linguist and rock hound. She writes about her experiences with LS and two other autoimmune conditions.

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