'Tarakanova In The Flood' by Konstantin Dmitrievich Flavitsky

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