POETRY

This New Self
Dale Mosher

“The fifth anniversary is symbolized by wood
for wisdom, strength and forgiveness.”
On the occasion of a fifth anniversary,
I reflect upon a close encounter
with the predatory lifeform that invaded my body,
and the extraction.
I journeyed abruptly to another world,
an unwilling, welcomed inhabitant
conversed with dedicated tour guides,
learned their specialized lingo.
Followed the daily itinerary, personalized,
orifice inserted for poison infusion, customized
cocktail, hung over from fatigue and uncertainty,
throat stabbed by vicious shards

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From a cool passing breeze, wrongly timed
from the open fridge door, fingers burnt
reaching for a chilled glass in July.
Until, todayannealed from the kiln
Faith wrapped in a friend-made prayer
shawl hug of variegated knit-purl strands
in sea shades, a blue-green-teal lifeline
clutched in gratitude for a promised future.

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