Memories of a Broken Clock

Estella Burque

roadside memorial
crumbling tombstone

this is where I bury my lost
and this is where I bury my forgotten

split lip
tetanus shot

this is where I skinned my knee on your concrete hip
and this is where I thank you for it

threaded needle
broken clasp

this is where they stitched me closed
and this is where they left a piece of you behind

punch in the shoulder
punch in the chest

oh! how I love to be loved
even in the worst of times