Every illness has symbols,

color coding to shield you:

the green of arthritis,

pink of breast cancer,

a twisted magnetic saltire worn

by squires praying for strength

or splashed across fields

holding your house’s charge,

the rampant Ehlers-Danlos zebra,

a balanced fighter.

Lupus’ butterflies displayed

on guard for transformation,

invisible illnesses fought

alone by proper warriors, 

champions of the heraldric code

who are never dubbed knights

or granted a coat of arms.