Her lungs creak like an old ship,
begging to dock,
after a millennia-long journey
of the universe.
Her joints ache with radiation of eyes
peering at her wincing face
when she is required to move.
Her ship is falling apart
with every clutch of the chest
and curse under the breath.
And I can’t do anything about it.
Caitlin Flaws is a first year Master’s student in English here at WSU. She previously went to UC Davis and earned a BA in English and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies. She is from Northern California, where she spent her time writing, playing trombone, and working with teen moms. What inspires her writing are her greatest loves: her friends and family… and her cat.
I chose “Lupus” by Caitlin Flaws. I love this poem because of its seamless imagery. The emotion comes through strongly, and the last line is powerful and heart-wrenching.
-LandEscapes Poetry Editor
Amelia Browning