For Fear of Black Blood

Though none of us care

to admit that we do,

everything we fear

that will come true

is that we will be infected,

and fall to the flood

that our veins will be filled

with the deadly black blood.

Though we live

for many days

all the tomorrows

can be taken away

by just one drop,

in point of fact

one black drop

and you can't get them back.

So what do we do

for fear of the black blood?

What do we do

to keep those afflicted away?

Is there a way to keep my

white heart beating?

Is there a way

to keep the fear from bleeding?

As I lie

awake at night

my skin speckled red

purged by this blight

I have to fear

what's in my veins,

for if I sleep

will I awaken again?