6. Not Admitting This Wound

Inspired by Emily Dickinson’s, “A not admitting of the wound (1188)”.

Not admitting this wound.
It is not an open sore.
It does not drip
with warm crimson blood.
Infection does not reign my flesh.

My heart has not drained.
It does not know sorrow.
It is not shattered,
nor is it broken.

Scars do not tarnish my skin.
There are no traces
of slashes from that knife
No marks to remind me of pain.

Not admitting this wound.
I am not battered and bruised–
not defeated nor beaten.
You have not won.
I am not your victim.

Not admitting this wound.