In the first heat of summer 2014
I lost all my words.
They fell away from me like scales
Or rather were trapped in my head
Unable to emerge from closed lips.
Touch and gesture were left to me
And so, being inadept in their use,
I learned to accept discomfort
Unable to express a desire
For pain to stop or action to cease
I could only wait or shift myself
Marginally, hoping I’d got it right.
