Putting Up a Wall

excruciating. tearing the inside.
pushing itself outward.
protruding. it stings.

unbearable. not welcome here.
take it out, doctor. I don’t want it.
options presented, surgery averted.

putting up a wall instead.
around it, covering it
but the pain returns.

it comes and goes. it likes to return. to hurt.
to tear from the inside. to break outward.
reaching out. I feel it through my skin.

I can’t take it.
doctor, please.
the pain—is back.