Serena Malcolm

#NaPoWriMo Day One

Another April, another month long writing challenge courtesy of National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo).

Yesterday’s prompt (I am a little late) was to write an instructional poem, or a disinstructional poem. I read disinstruction and thought of rebellion. Of being instructed to do something and not doing it. So this is what I came up with. A poem about my current situation of being stuck in a sling for 6 weeks, being told not to do anything and finding that impossible. It’s also a hat tip to all artists who suffer for their art 😉 enjoy….

Hurt

It couldn’t hurt,
Famous last words
as my posture shifts
Shoulders lift
– if
a little trickily
on the right,
Pain is prickly,
Undenied,
But in front of me sits
a battle of wits,
Stubbornness kicks,
Like the hit
of a lit joint,
Quick fix,
The kid
with the fixed toy
wants to take it for a spin,
Indulge herself in
Its joy,
So sure it couldn’t hurt,
Lips pursed,
Contemplating the worth
of this zealous rebirth,
Need
to quench a thirst
long parched,
Parched when they took every glass
and drained the chambers
of my heart,
When they claimed
I could no longer master
my art,
But I’m here;
So close,
Yet not nearly
close enough
But I am tough,
Grit my teeth
and readjust,
Ignore
the searing rush
like hot lava
through my nerves,
Remind myself
I deserve this,
This is my gift,
My purpose,
I deserve this,
So of course it couldn’t hurt.
But it could.

And it did.

And it was worth it.