The Grief Project: Poems by an Anonymous LS Warrior

Introduction to The Grief Project

I decided to create The Grief Project back in June 2021. I wanted to create a space for people with Lichen Sclerosus to openly write about and share their experiences with grief.

This is a topic we do not hear much about, but it is something that touches almost everyone with Lichen Sclerosus in some capacity or another. I wanted this to be a part of The Lost Labia Chronicles, but make it a separate project to truly give space to others to share their stories.

I opened up a call on my social media and to the folks in the LS Warriors membership to share their experiences with grief and contribute to this collection of voices. If you want to contribute to the project, please reach out to me (my contact information is at the end of this).

Anonymous's Contribution to The Grief Project

Without further ado, let me introduce you to our anonymous poet. She is a beautiful and generous soul living in the UK. I first met her in the lichen sclerosus virtual support meetups. She was also so wise, compassionate, and full of empathy for others in the group.

One day, I received an email from her. I opened up two beautiful poems on her experience with grief for The Grief Project. When I read her poetry, I cried. I was completely moved and taken aback, by her talent to convey such a challenging and complex experience as the grief that accompanies lichen sclerosus.

Without further ado, here are her poems.

For my Lover

Touch me softly;

Unjudging of the livid pupura,

The pallor of the scars.

See where the delicate nub of me

Lies sealed within its hood,

Retreating in shock

From the inimical everyday cloth,

And all things brushing, pushing, past it.

Gently trace the remnants of my inner lips

With tender fingers,

Soothing the discomfort.

Cup your palm

Around the aching, damaged

Beauty that lies at the heart of me:

For it is lovely in its brokenness-

A worn and shattered shell of

Delicate, rainbow colours,

Cast up upon the beach.

Dorsally Recumbent

The dorsal recumbent position

Allows easy access

To vulva and vagina.

Drop your knickers,

Spread your legs

And all will be revealed.

Try not to tense

Against the gentle probing of the gloved fingers,

Penetrating

Without desire or affection.

Try not to wince

As they push past

Tears and tiny, scarce-seen ulcers.

Try not to cry

At the remarking upon the

Fusion and the scarring –

The crumbling architecture

That is filled with pain and inflammation.

Want to Read More From The Grief Project? Click Below To Read More!

Honor and witness the voices and experiences of others on their lichen sclerosus journeys. Through the power of art – in this case, writing/storytelling – we can soften a place within us that opens up to healing.