The Easing

Words by Liz Marquez
Art by Vanessa Dorado

I waited
for the slow
burn to dull
the sharp,
waited for it
to melt away
all the daybreak
could not;
felt the vapor
weaving through
me, stitching
up torn joints,
muscle tears—
like a lover
she came
mending,

her touch
the salve
that stopped
the bleeding. 
I blew the
sweet aroma
up, a cloud
rising like
incense
to a god
always for me,
not against me.
smoke in my
lungs, I learned
to breathe
again.