Philautia
Philautia
Love of the self
The glass screen flickers
Its blue light harsh, blinding
Burning retinas too dry for tears
Deserts on cracked cheeks
Limbs of metal, creak and groan
As you try to move your contorted,
Rancid, husk of a body, fingers moving
Slowly, on their own time, the only part that works
Rust covered eyelids droop to a close
Hoping for the soft, releasing touch
From the man in the shadows,
But are met with a glowing hand, and a softer touch
Eyes that are your own,
Without the purple bags or the dull grey stare,
Hair that is your own,
Without the slick dripping grease,
A smile, warm, unlike your own
Hands, your own but smelling of lemon grass,
Cup your unwashed face, a blanket voice,
Soft and comforting, drapes along your stiff shoulders
“Breathe,” your voice says, “you’re going to be alright”
Your joints loosen, your spine unfolds
Crystal tears rush down your now vibrant face,
Clean and cold, your heart beats again
A smile, unsure but there, stretches across your face
Hands, shaking, but your own,
Ring out the black grease and brush off the dust,
You are safe
You are alive