On: Ignoring your gut

Your body never lies to you, 

you know? 

Neither your body, nor anyone else’s. 

The slight curve on someone’s lips, 

when you know that what they said isn’t the truth. 

The brief glance to the left 

when you know they are leaving out a little detail 

that’s not so small. 

The way their lips are saying “yes” 

but their head is nodding “no.” 

Your heart feels a tug with the curve, 

Your eyes follow that glance 

And your brain listens to the words and not the signs. 

Your body does betray you, 

Though. 

Because you deny yourself the things you know. 

From Etcetera: a collection of almosts and afters—a book of poems about growth, grief, and the courage to come home to yourself.