Joanna Gilman Hyde

Our skin on our cheek

does not have to peel away

from the palm it rests upon.

We could keep on walking

if we had somewhere to go

and a little help to get us there.

We do not have to lose our teeth.

We do not have to lose our minds

if others can relate to us on some level.

We do not have to stop sex.

We can keep on living

if we take care of ourselves

and if others help us

to care for ourselves.