THERE’S A SPOT OF BLOOD
in the center of our mattress
it usually blends in with the flowers
when I’m changing the sheets
I check to make sure it’s still there
our sheets too
have remnants of that same blood
from that same part of my body
yes, I washed them
he never responds well to my blood my body
but I don’t mind it
my body
or him
I cannot resent what comes from my body
or him
that’s a dangerous road to start down
hating your gelatins and juices
leg hairs, etc.
of course, I shave them
tap tap tap
the razor against the side of the tub
examine the hairs—how long
they are! how bendable
against my index finger
held firmly
against my thumb!
watch how it moves!
in out up down in out
these things take time, you see
but I am learning how to love both
at the same time—
him
& my body.
Micaela Walley is a recent graduate from the University of South Alabama where she majored in Creative Writing. Her work can be found in Oracle Fine Arts Review, Eunoia Review, and Straight Forward Poetry. She currently lives in Hanover, Maryland with her best friend -- Chunky, the cat.