Diogenes

Like Diogenes

Its pillars of stone and crevice

Cold and searing hot

sharp-surfaced

Stop tearing burning at my flesh!

Red angry skies confuse the mind

Squeeze through the narrow

opening between cruel towering

rock and rock and more rock

It’s scraped away my flesh

Exposing bone and sinew

Muscle and meat

Leave my elbows and blooded knees!

This is my hope, tattered and shorn

Remains of my strength

My belief in myself

Please have mercy, Diogenes

Leave some scraps to heal

Allow relief and room for me to breathe

To not decompose beyond my reach

Diogenes, release me!

-Stella

8-9-18