Pains of the Zodiac Body
“The Pains of the Zodiac Body” is an anthology of poems that utilize the twelve astrological signs and their personality traits as a lens, or perhaps determinant, as to how their corresponding associated body parts might feel and hold pain. These poems are housed in a journal to emphasize the personal-ness of feeling pain in the body, especially when it is a manifestation of mental or metaphysical strain. Continuing in that vein is why I have left mistakes and scratched out mistakes.
As for the various forms of imagery that you will see below, the photos of the journal were taken on a mirror, reflecting the cloudy sky above, in order to directly symbolize the way that pain in the body reflects pain in the mind. Within the journal reside many drawings. Some are of body parts, some are not. The purpose of these drawings is to fill up the pages, representing the way that our lives fill up our bodies, perhaps with pain but perhaps also with happiness. A constant image that appears on every page are flowers which are intended hope for growth away from the pain and towards healing. Healing is further emphasized through using crystals as paper weights. The dark blue Sodalites is calming, the green Malachite encourages change and self understanding, and finally the light blue and gray Larimar reduces stress while promoting inner wisdom and outer manifestation. All come together to bring about self actualization and growth in the face of challenge.
Why use tumblr as my mode of delivery? Tumblr is a place of community where anyone can find understanding through the anonymous sharing of pain and healing. This is a collective experience shared by many and was the only launching pad I could fathom sending my project into the ether.
Aries
An invisible helmet shrinks as the fuse shortens
The head aches, tight with pressure
Both eyes dull with pain
Tinging the vision with red
Blood pulsates, preparing to explode
Taurus
Ears hear static as words catch in the throat
The unspoken burns
Pain spreads to the neck and shoulders
Relief only comes
When the voice is unstoppered
Gemini
Arms swing tirelessly
Running towards change
Lungs sting with each new breath
Only to rip as the breath escapes
Clinging to the air, wanting more
Cancer
Tears well and splash down
Hitting the plain of the chest
With each drip the breast constricts
The chest walls close in
Burning as they seal shut
Leo
Cracks in the ego
Cause the spine to wilt like a dying sunflower
The shoulders bow low as the heart palpitates with sharpness
And the pain spreads through the shoulder blades
Like wings
Virgo
Change is uncomfortable
Yanking on the intestines like ropes
Knotting and twisting and pulling
Sharp and dull is the pain
Change is a punch to the abdomen
Libra
Stress builds before sinking like autumn leaves
Settling down in the hips
They strain to move
Pain glows to the lower back
Knitted tightly in hard, tender cables
Scorpio
Lust born of jealousy sharpens the groin
Wet and sticky desire might bring them back
Yet it feels numb and empty
Only to shrivel at the sadness
Fuzzy and distant is the affection sought
Sagittarius
Fleeing, propelled by strong thighs
Fatigue is ignored
Soreness is ignored
Searing pain wraps around the legs
Worth every step to get away
Capricorn
More burdensome than Atlas’ sky
Heavy responsibility weighs on the joints
The knees press into the earth
So hard that they feel like they may shatter
This pain is lonely, digging down to the bones
Aquarius
Rubbed raw, open wound exposed to the cold metal
Shackles weigh on the ankles
Chains of conformity restrain
Withholding freedom
So tired and weak that movement is impossible
Pisces
Each step is heavy
Carrying the pain of generations past
Dragging ghosts with every stride
Each footprint keeps a piece of the whole
And the cool earth stores it away for who is next