stomach girly

what does it feel like?

where does it hurt?

when does it happen?

doctors ask with a smirk

i can't put my finger on it

it's hard to explain

what, where, when, why

to me, it's just pain

burning, cramping

dull and gnawing

my only relief

is smoking and drawing

you must be upset

or anxious, depressed

why else would you not

be feeling your best?

it's probably nothing

a case of an ache

it's all in your head

it's probably fake

the pain isn't real

insomnia either

you don't really want

to cut it out with a cleaver

silence is easiest

i don't even wince

but it definitely feels

like i'm turning to mince

---

stomach girly

acrylic on canvas

middle age

short on time

long in the tooth

running low on a commodity

not found in a booth

born with a full carton

but when they're gone, they're gone

every moon that wanes

sacrifices one more pawn

other women proclaim

the beauty, the glory

the magic of creation

but it won't be her story

she waited too long

not deciding is choosing

and exhausting her supply

was both winning and losing

she let them depart

waved goodbye and she joked

they're old and fucked up

and probably double yolked

---

middle age

acrylic on cardstock

5x7