Breath & Shadow
June 2026 - Vol. 23, Issue 3
"Curb Your Infusiasm"
written by
Lillian Hochwender
Princess Kate crashed my IV
in a dream once. I got kicked out
half-way through my saline.
I was salty, but not as salty
as I should have been.
What can you do
when the future Queen
needs chemo and you
are me, are hogging
a private suite
on a silent Sunday, praying
for relief from the sick syncopation
of your heart
that only comes
from the percussion of the drip?
What then
but to feel one more syndrome—
imposter, this time—
to grow seasick
with my saltwater self,
unable to shake
my own
Medical
cultural
general
Insignificance?
Who am I
to take up
so
much
space?
Lillian Hochwender is a queer disabled writer and visual artist living in the American Midwest. Their work spans numerous genres and frequently explores embodiment, mortality, and identity. Their poetry has been published by the likes of Doll Hospital Journal, FLARE Magazine, and The Southwest Review.