unanswered phone

i have the right to protect

myself from further attack

decades of trying to care for one

who uses her special needs

to enjoy turning the screw

and quickly gets over the pain

but not my pain

she seems not to grasp that i

was the one hurt, not she

she’s sweet again and unwilling

to believe i will not answer

i cannot kiss it better for her

diabetes is a sneak fighter, attacking all systems

forgiving no mistakes, punishing all rebellion

damaging limbs, eyes, kidneys for every non-compliance

demanding daily obsequience and robbing future health