Published in Overland Issue 258 2025 · Uncategorized insensible loss Alex McInnis frank or heavily bloodstained red: may appear velvety twelve views of the heart murmur, rubs, gallops, kicks ask the patient: point to the pain (pain can refer) work of breathing quality: characteristics of pain regularly irregular water follows salt salt sucks, cells swell sympathetic outflow lubb dubb (lubb … lubbdubb) onset: circumstances associated with pain the heart’s maximum point of impulse provoke: worsening and relieving factors derangement absolute waste It is our moral dutie. To not walk past. In noting the current crisis We move that, and that, And that, And that, And that It is not reasonable nor just to Repeat ad nauseam Unsubstantiated claims that Do Harm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the nurse–patient relationship is at the centre of … (a war of terror a sea of limbs a deluge of sewage a mass grave) a sniper’s bullseye ~~~~~~~~~~~~ <This message was edited> This message was deleted You deleted this message <Media omitted> We learn in silence which side to run the zip of a body bag, which toe to tag. We learn in silence the cruel mimicry of infant mannequins; splayed hips, soft chest. We learn in silence. Alex McInnis Alex McInnis is an emerging writer raised on Dharug Country. Her first book of poetry — as good a woman as ever made bread — was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards in 2024. Her writing is embedded in her practice as a student nurse and socialist. More by Alex McInnis › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays 18 May 202618 May 2026 · Militarisation Sacrificed for the Pentagon: on Australia’s “security” crisis Gwenaël Velge The connection between the Jarrah Forest, the submarine base, and the data centres is not metaphorical. It is the three pillars of AUKUS, made material in a single city. Pillar III strips the forest to supply aluminium and gallium to the other two pillars, gutting environmental and water security. 15 May 2026 · Friday Fiction The structure Dominic Carew We made it to the park by eight. The winter sun was filtering through the far trees in a wan, lemon trickle, the thin clouds sheets of white. The cool sky a rubbed-at blue. The grass squelched beneath our feet and elsewhere, thinned from wear, the earth stretched grassless and muddy and, in some parts, released a thick mist.
