“Quintessence of Dust” by Veronica Ashenhurst

Quintessence of Dust

A friend sent Hamlet. But my cells contain
a tyrant who made me set the play aside,
for he metes out strength in scraps. Yesterday,
I washed my hair, my heart sped, I lay down.
Now, I turn in bed for Act II, press play,
hear Denmark’s prince say there is nothing
either good or bad but thinking makes it so.
I flinch at the words: they seem to mock
my faithless limbs. Still, I sit up to view
the dusk, winter’s pearl. Disease has taught me
defeat, and here, by rose light, I glimpse
the body’s opposites: this fallen clay — 
yet, also, this soliloquy on being,
taut and wistful as a violin.

Veronica Ashenhurst

Veronica Ashenhurst has published both poetry and articles on legal education. Her poems appear in Christian Century, Health Affairs, Star 82 Review, and Wordgathering, among other journals. Her poetry has been nominated for the Best of the Net anthology.

Photo Credit: Staff