Five Senses
The body was four years old when it
lost its sense of touch
because of all the hitting.
The body was eight years old when it
lost its sense of smell
because there was month-old dog shit all over the house.
The body was ten years old when it
lost its sense of hearing,
after Momma and her boyfriend fought every day.
The body was twelve years old when it
lost its sense of sight
when it couldn't bear to remember the abuser's face.
The body was sixteen years old when it
lost its sense of taste
as the eating disorder was the only way to control anything.
The body feels itself losing a war,
slowly falling apart.
It can't handle any more of this.
The vessel is crumbling apart.
There's no way to feel the world anymore.