the color orange, and other things twisted by chronic illness

chin up

chin up,

they say,

not knowing

that's how 

i lived my life

for so long.

not from the neck up

but

from the chin up.

estranged from my body.

because my neck hurts.

and so does my back.

and my knees.

and my hips.

arms. wrists.

you get the point.

my head hurts too,

but if i live

chin up

at least that's

only one thing

to deal with.