Anna Boughtwood

Pain Rating

On a scale of one to ten,
The pain is an octopus
Stuck to my hip.

Toddler-aged and
Impervious to all attempts
At discipline.

A ghost hovering over
The one surviving
ovary.

A third I wasn’t looking for.
The relationship-ruining
homewrecker.

Endlessly exasperating-
A ricochet of ruin
Down my right side.