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center for writing | minnesota writing project

Erica Schatzlein

©2006

Surviving Epiphany

Immersed
in this
melting
to realize
I’ve been running for miles
seven years running
escape the one moment, one memory

Seven years bad luck for a
broken
self-image
and the unending questions
how and why
seeking prevention, reinvention
different time, same place
can not guarantee my outcome
through flashbacks and blackouts
now cat-like reflexes
gag reflexes
ready for the retreat next time.

Never fully immersed, I
drown in tears
until this—
these eyelash kisses
brush this surface
scratch this boundary
hard and hot
beautiful
and still.