I went to the acupuncturist and left bleeding. 

This is not uncommon–part of the experience is getting needles

plunged into your skin, and they occasionally strike red. 

The acupuncturist said as much–”sometimes we bleed, and that’s okay.”

But she said it to soothe me, when my body had turned

into one tense muscle, aching at every joint and punctured limb. 

Her hands came recommended by family friends

and they could do nothing for me.

I was untreatable.

But I went home that night grateful for the newfound lack

of needles in my skin. The little dots of red on my face and neck 

were gone by evening. A faint sting in my left elbow faded.

I remained untreatable, but whole.

And I was grateful.