What Is You Aren’t

Pain creates a boundary
Between body and the world.
It’s the body clamoring

For all of the attention
Awareness might normally
Parcel out to other things—

Concern over news events,
Pleasure in the fine weather,
Contemplation of the light—

Pain wants all of you, enfolds
Your thoughts, holds them to itself,
Lets you know whatever’s you

Isn’t the soft day beyond,
Isn’t the sunlight and calm.