It’s been a while
My womb feels hollow
No matter!
I was needed in the night. Confirmation
I am not fit for the season of spring.
I am in August.

The stubborn paunch can stay
I like it
The stretch marks and varicose veins
Bladder weakness, disfigured labia
Stretched out breasts
I don’t care.

They remind me I am alive
Younger than I’ll ever be
Than you’d have me tell myself
But I won’t allow it. Not that.
I have a mirror and eyes
I have a heart too.

We are here at the end of a spectacular summer
Encased inside aging caskets
On the cusp of glorious, autumnal adventures
Let me help you see the colours.

Our souls are young yet!
Leave old to the mountains
Our lungs may one day breathe us up
Our bones are on the ground not in it
Legs to climb and stand atop peaks
To marvel together how we got to be here at all!

To love.
To live.

© 2025 Juliette Proffitt
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
THE ABOVE POEM WAS WRITTEN BY AND REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE AUTHOR GRANTS PERMISSION TO SHARE UNALTERED POSTS ONLY WHEN EXPLICITLY CREDITING THEM. NO OTHER REPRODUCTIONS ARE GRANTED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION.