My bio professor told us
Every month
The outer layer of skin
fully replaces itself
yet months later
I still felt the sting of your touch
The next class she told us
Every seven years
Every cell has replaced itself
It took me that long
to speak of it the first time
After trauma repeats itself
I wonder if I can forget
I wonder if my bones
Will ever forget the chill
But later she told us
Every 8 years
Your skeleton
Has broken down
and replaced itself again
What a beautiful thought
That one day
Not skin, nor cell, nor bone
Will have ever known you
One down...
...Seven to go
Anniversaries aren't always happy.