By Jenny Ravikumar
My right arm slowly goes numb Night After Night After Night Sleeping with a tiny drunken octopus who I love so deeply, I fear it may kill me watching his precious face as he falls into me
Empty Heart Broken vows Broken heart Broken promises Yet also broken eggshells I no longer need to walk on
Starting alone Both of us knowing he’ll tuck into my right arm before sunrise Hand on my heart
Deep breaths Strength Yoga Overcoming the addiction of codependency
Right Over My Heart
My right hip holds my toddler perfectly as we balance life and groceries on the way from the car My right arm holds him at night I am stronger now
Digging his tiny fingernails into my flesh, both of us begging for sleep
My heart beats every day for the right side of my arm For his heart and our new life as we explore this world together
Day one: His tiny body reached for mine He slid out and up to my heart, knowing I would be his only protector We’ve been on this journey together ever since
Yet there is a hole in the left side of my heart It heals It heals It heals In time
My left arm is bare My ring finger has not even a trace of suntan where the promise once stood A tinge of mixed energy and emotions So much love and promise 28