Shriveled Being

Poem by Cai Quirk

I found a being in the woods
shriveled and left there to die
no water no food no sanctuary
maggots had begun to multiply
 
I took this being upon my back
not knowing eir origins or kind
but kindness is a human trait
I couldn’t leave em behind
 
resilience gleamed in the teary gaze
as ey turned eir face to mine
far beyond defeat or fear
eyes with a steely shine
 
releasing the harm internalized
as tears fell like rain
cleansing renewing purifying
no longer surviving in vain