Corpse Color

by Heather Carnaghan

The day you were born
still and silent
my heart
was shattered
into fragments so sharp
that they pierced
through my whole life
and opened wounds
that will never heal.

I held your tiny hand
and stroked your chubby cheeks.
they grew cold
as my own warmth seeped out of you
and the corpse color
crept over your perfect toes.