The Bloodied Ink

The gods in my head stood quickly

Tore into my stomach, my throat

I apologized through what I’ve wrote

But they keep cutting, teasing me

The sound of the bells hitting the concrete

The old man stooping to bless my feet

I didn’t ask for this, leave me, leave me

I know the sounds of a breaking world

I settled at the bottom of the restless mistakes

Breathing out the last breaths I dared to make

I won’t live too much longer for your sake

Just give me an excuse to polish your ring once more

I slashed my pen against the paper in mindless scores

We sung our hearts out, but it merely whistled

Your words tangled around me, sharply thistled

Don’t tell me that I’ve already reached the edge

I know when I woke up this morning I wanted to retch

The void dragged out in front of me, my silhouette

Wrap your arms around my battled-worn back

And I’ll listen to your heart in your wounded chest

Teach me to remember so I’ll dare to forget

Train me to wield the sword that steals my breath