I wake up cold， I who
Prospered through dreams of heat
Wake to their residue，
Sweat， and a clinging sheet.
My flesh was its own shield：
Where it was gashed， it healed.
I grew as I explored
The body I could trust
Even while I adored
The risk that made robust，
A world of wonders in
Each challenge to the skin.
I cannot but be sorry
The given shield was cracked，
My mind reduced to hurry，
My flesh reduced and wrecked.
I have to change the bed，
But catch myself instead
Stopped upright where I am
Hugging my body to me
As if to shield it from
The pains that will go through me，
As if hands were enough
To hold an avalanche off.