Hidden

It rips through my chest Sawing my breastbone Exposing the core of all I feel Heart and blood spilling Screaming at each touch I fasten the buttons on my shirt Neatly, tightly, closing it all in Perception not always reality Keeping it together Lining toothbrush next to toothpaste Only white dinner plates 8 of each … a perfect set Everything orderly Everything in a row Yet, it catches me unawares ... Moments when there’s a lull Mid way through a task At the traffic light In between dreams … Heart and blood gushing to the fore Pain paralysing my very being Sadness and grief overwhelming me Too big to comprehend … Too debilitating to feel … My soul … it aches My lips … they smile