Today, something about the Russians.
Today, I locked myself inside as my house grew hotter.
In the first month of summer, I ate some cheese like a rat
and smoked all my neighbor’s cigarettes.
Today, something about Kissinger.
Today, something about gaslighting and damage.
Today, the spine is tired.
Today, I will do ballet until I don’t have legs.
Today, I text Carmen about trauma.
Today, I will buy expensive bath bombs and bathe my misery away.
Today has to be more than damage.
Today, there is more damage and wreckage than wreckage alone.
Today, my body tells me there is only damage but that is unbelievable.
Carmen, this cannot be right.
— Sandra Simonds, from Atopia