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 1 6 November 2026 · Friday Fiction Headland Harry Goddard He must have still been sore. I could tell from the winces he made as he scooted down the trail. Some unspoken agreement of not hitting other people’s children — and the circumstances of me not being that type of kid — spared me from the same punishment. I was taken to my parents who agreed I would have to work off the damages, and I must have mowed the lawn once, or cleaned the family car. 4 November 2026 · Film MIFF, Minotaur and the politics of maternal reception Alicia Byrnes Maternal labour is, in the terms I’ve set out here, not labour at all. Noisy, unfocused, mobile, perhaps even sleepy — it is an affront to arthouse film viewing and therefore unserious.
