The Numbness

What a privilege to be affected

Sickened by blood 
And scared of the dark

To have ears that shudder at screams 
Have hands that leap up to cover wide eyes

To feel every black and blue bashing 
Know that this is going to hurt 
And fiercely feel it when it hurts

A privilege to still break apart 
In childish ripples at the shimmering 
Boom-cracks of Independence Day

Every bump in the road is a bit of a ride 
Get that gratifying nausea after a spin

Cheer for the team and care too
Tap feet to the tune of anything soft and sad

What a privilege 

To feel the exquisite sting 
Of a broken heart
 
To move with the heavy sobs of
A perfectly self-crushing love

Better this, better that, better all these things 
- than nothing 
Than the numbness


Thank God I haven't caught The Numbness