Home » Poems and Stories for Autumn » Plum Stone Throat a poem by Jenne Gray

Plum Stone Throat a poem by Jenne Gray

(For Helen X, c 1910-1967, who died of throat cancer)

In Chinese medicine plum stone throat describes the feeling of a plum stone stuck at the top of the back of the throat. It is associated with stagnation of liver energy (liver chi). The liver is said to control the flow of emotions.

Plum stone throat –

liver chi

choked,

caught by anger

in the throat.

Sticks,

stagnates,

takes root,

grows ganglions

that gag communication’s flow.  

What’s left?

A silent scream,

the only voice

of a life frustrated.

Jen Gray, September, 2018

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