Eventually the Body Decides

Two weeks now, just under

the pad of my left thumb—

a dark thread of pine

that has no urgency about it.

The doctor said: the body will push it out.

Eventually.

Like that was a kindness

and not just a longer wait.

This morning I pressed my thumb

against a cold glass

just to feel it remind me

it was still there. Still deciding.

Not infected. Not spreading.

Just residing below the surface,

doing whatever it does

in the dark of my own skin.

I pressed my thumb against the glass again.

It was still there.