Sea Cucumber

I am a sea cucumber

All slimy hot red flesh and blood

Turning inside out

Spilling jellied matter into the water

Don’t assume expulsion doesn’t hurt

Natural forces aren’t so benign:

Earthquakes, rattlesnake venom

Underground veins of coal deposits

On fire and fire and pyroclastic flow

Just because the sea cucumber doesn’t complain 

doesn’t mean she doesn’t mind