Afterbirth by Heather Ann Schmidt

She left me

& I was hollowed out–
carved heirogliphics
on my insides
made from the scar tissue
of birth.

But the ghosts stayed
& would not go out
into the world
even though I tried
to blow them out
with my cries.

& so I starved
the fear out
& my bones began

to show through rice paper skin.

…………Each fear,
……………….another layer
……………….another day closer
……………….to death.

Until I saw the lotus flower,
felt its skin
& longed for change.