Weighing Down, Pushing In

by Ally Joehanson

The quilt he lies beneath Keeps his soul in his body as he sleeps, The patchwork of burden and shame Weighing down, pushing in. This the shame he spits into my mouth with a forked tongue, searching. For something to stab, twirl, lick up and swallow Whole. Weighing down, pushing in.

He cries out like a child. I give him my bosom For comfort, but he takes no relief. Instead, in the lashing of his tantrum He suppresses. Weighing down, pushing in. Into me.