take the knife and never use it –
press mercy into your skin and
hope it’s enough to fling the stars’
light back. grow into your teeth
and remember all their faces.
open your mouth and drink down
every drop. can’t you see?
you are nothing until you are wanted.
wait until you can’t stand it
and receive nothing in return.
carve into your own mute body
and wait for something to
wink
back.
