Paper Life Poem by Cherie Mort

I write; the ink flows onto the page, decorating it with black swirls
My hand rubs raw against the page, skin chafing so badly it's like sunburn
A trickle of dark red ink flows from my hand, mixing with the black writing on the page
I have put my blood into this work

The sun beats down hotly on my back, making me perspire
I wipe the sweat off my brow and continue working, my hand resting against the page
I have put my sweat into this work

My eyes hurt, and all the inky characters and letters are swimming
The pain gets worse as I rub my eyes, trying only to ease the pressure
A single tear falls down my face and onto the page I am writing on
I have put my tears into this work

My whole life is wrapped up in a single sheet of paper, my blood, sweat, and tears making themselves present
I fold my life into a boat and send it flaming down the river
I stand up and look across the river; all I see are trees
My old life is gone, burned to ashes
It's time I start anew