Yet,

a 0-10 of faces,

pain on a chart

red taped fingertip

still, dry mouthed,

 

little turns side-to-side avoiding sores

into long nights, memorably long; wear down,

 

talking narrow to your

rails, up,

only drinking water

little sips

 

all that is the work done, or did, or must now do

work to be

slides over

and with great relief

proves too tired for fear.