It’s gone, but I can still see the marks
it left on my life.
At night
After some tossing and turning
I will lay my right arm above my head
because that is where the PICC was
and this was the only position
that eased the discomfort.
When I brush my hair out
I look down
to see the amount of strands in the brush.
I have to remind myself:
This many strands is normal to lose.
I will find small bruises on my stomach
and know they are from a dog.
But a memory flashes
for only a moment,
of laying in a hospital bed,
covered in small, unexplained bruises.