A stitch There is a hairline fracture You cannot see it without some scrutiny But, I’m sure that it will make itself known The pain will drown you Outweighed only by fear You will submit with every rush of tidal torture And yet, it will not subside When your arches have been spiked at every step: When your hands do not withdraw from the too-hot dishwater: When that horrible pop song begins again for the millionth time And your bowels knot, And all connective tissue begins to snap strand By strand, by strand… You will wish you could redress your neglect. Of course, by then It will no longer be a hairline fracture.