THERE IS BLOOD 1971

A GIRL IN A PSYCHIATRIC WARD SLITS HER WRIST IN 1971

There is blood
on the floor
as Yiska

with a small
razor blade
slits across

her thin wrist
the bathroom
(with toilets

behind her)
she stands there
blood watching

she knows she's
an expert
at slitting

she has scars
to prove it
but the voice

within her
that says soft
go do it

is her own
the black dog
barking deep

depression
moves her hand
grips fingers

the blood seeps
(not fast spurts)
gives her time

to sit down
on the floor
and to watch

the red show
entertain
her fingers

red christened
and sticky
the pink cuff

of the small
nightgown
is now drenched

she watches
feeling cold
feels sleepy

nurses come
from the ward
and swarm her

busy bees
buzzing there
their voices

high and low
in the air.