My Blood, My Love
written by: Sarah Shupack
For my older brother Josh, who died in 2019
He is, My blood; My love
My blood; my love,
my leaky heart valves, my Godforsaken soul,
my every vital organ
pumping existence within
my being.
My left foot, my right hand,
my empty tear ducts, my crooked spine,
You are my dead dandelion,
and my water spout;
my angry, and my winter snow.
My blood; my love
You, who first pumped pungent air into
my lungs,
breathing in your
convictions of respect and
intoxicated enlightenment.
You, who exhorted me to grow
from the tiny iridescent seed
within your flower pot,
into the only sunflower shrieking
“Let him go.”
My blood; my love,
You are all the brothers
to all us sisters,
the angels kissing
cheeks of sinners,
the words
which are missing
from all my unfinished monologues.
- My Blood, My Love - May 7, 2025
