'body' by Adeline Argabrite

body

our body has belonged to others before me.

and to others,

before them.

stardust was scattered,

and picked up,

and forged into our shape.

atoms mingled and

cells divided and

blood flowed.

pay attention.

listen.

hear the static of a body in motion.

know this,

if only this --

our body is not constant,

these atoms did not always belong to you.

they will no longer belong to you

leave our body in better shape than you found it in