My Body Speaks

I ask my body why it has a tumor –
Why not go to the source?
I listen, write in stream of consciousness.
She tells me I was under stress,
Gave away too much of myself in order
To receive love, honor, and respect. 

I ask my body what she needs,
She says to get more rest and do less.
Now, this is difficult.
When I immerse, I want to excel –
Do more than my best,
To hell with rest.
Rest is dull,
Rest is dying. 

My body says rest is recovery –
Recline until you feel satisfied
Like a big yawn after a nap,
There’s nothing in that still moment
Besides recognizing yourself. 

I ask my body what I am
Supposed to be in this life.
She says to be myself,
Create art from the place of rest
And it will be transformative.

©️ 2024 Laura E. Garrard

Laura E. Garrard is a multiple myeloma thriver and published author living in the Northwest. Her poetry and prose have appeared in journals like The Madrona Project, Amethyst, Silver Birch, TulipTree Review, and others.