This year, I’m writing poetry for every word tasting in November. I’m calling it Povember. Today, a terzanelle. Alexithymia is an inability to identify and describe emotions or to distinguish them from other sensations; alexithymic people tend to be very literal and concrete – and, of course, to be unable to talk about their emotions. This word was suggested by @nabetafish.
I felt some tightness earlier. It’s OK.
Let’s skip the coffee. I don’t need caffeine.
We’re talking, but I don’t know what to say.
Alexithymia, he said. What does that mean?
Won’t matter. Now I’m here. What can I do?
Let’s skip the coffee. I don’t need caffeine.
I wrote a list of things to fix for you.
Just say what you want first, though. What I think
Won’t matter. Now I’m here. What can I do
To help you? Change the lights? Unclog the sink?
I brought supplies and things. Is this enough?
Just say what you want. First, though, what I think
Is you can just relax. I’ll go get stuff
together. We can make it work, I guess.
I brought supplies and things. Is this enough?
Come closer. Try this. Put your hand there. Yes.
I felt some tightness earlier. It’s OK.
Together we can make it work. I guess
We’re talking, but I don’t know what to say.
Sesquiotica 