A Soulless Body by Siya Dhamija (16, India)

​[Content warning: hints at sexual abuse.]

My soul left my body 
the night you were inside me 
and my soul felt so claustrophobic 
that it couldn't stay there 

My soul left my body 
the day I concealed 
the crimson bruises you gave, 
instead of acne marks ​

---

My soul left my body 
the morning I saw myself naked, 
baked brown with the scars on the 
skin I thought belonged to me 

My soul left my body 
the moment your pure white 
agonizing cozy mattress 
turned red of my anger or shame 
or was it gore? 

My soul left my body 
the night I realized, 
the moon that shone outside my window 
was actually luminescence 

My soul left my body 
the afternoon I called you 
and your vigorous voice 
suppressed my high hopes I had from you 
considering you my life
​
My soul left my body 
and never returned to me 
for it no more felt a home 
in this body.