I wanted to
open my mouth as wide as it will go
no .. even
further
disarticulated and gaping
for maximum sound
a fog horn
and implore you
describing
the itch in my throat
the lump that turns to anchor
pulling me down to ocean floor
no oxygen, just humiliation
It says
Help me
I’ve never asked before
hot-faced and ashamed
I’m all grown up and lost
wandering toward your call
Help me
unpick my mistakes
return to the scattered fold
but every time I begin
something in your tone
heeds a warning
and I go back to
holding in
sore like spring cold
my throat is not meant for singing
it is a lump hardened by knowing
you will not hear.
(After becoming so sick I decided my only option would be to move back to a country with socialized healthcare. I basically said as much to my father, the first time I have ever asked him for help as an adult. I felt so guilty for asking. Some of my pride comes from being independent, not relying upon others. I find it hard to ask. But what was harder was his lack of response. I could blame many things, maybe he was in shock, maybe he didn’t know what to say. But parents are parents for life, if their child at any age needs help, and you know they may not be able to help themselves, I would think most would help them. Now I feel stupid, ashamed and embarrassed for asking. I hadn’t expected too much, just some type of support in moving back, if indeed a way could be found. But he stayed pretty negative, he doesn’t want to make an effort or get involved. I realized then I had long thought family meant we were all in it together, helping each other through this life, but it’s more ‘them’ and ‘me’. If I could, I would help myself. I’ve done it every other time. But being sick means you can’t always help yourself. There is no worse feeling than asking for help after feeling so bad for having to ask for help and then feeling absolutely ridiculous for having asked. I’m not feeling sorry for myself, it’s just challenging because it would be better if I could live in a country with socialized healthcare at this point, being swamped by bills I cannot afford. I suppose like many who do not have that option I will have to find another way. I don’t feel hard done by, I just feel like I don’t have that familial support that I half believed I could have, if I asked for it, that feels very lonely but also I feel stupid, for expecting, or asking anything of anyone, I wish I had the strength by myself but I just don’t).
