Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004/11:49 pm

falling

standing still

waiting

then - falling

in a split moment

a second transfixed

twisted and bound

tipped forward -

over the sterile edge of a knife

through sanity

rationality

through invisible arms

and veiled hope

*

first my head

second my heart

then the shallow surface

ruptured skin dashed with bruises and knicks

strands of auburn pulled from their roots

eyes shut down to shadow

screams calling through the grey

a poisoned pose

the strike

blow. &

slow advance

of giving in

*

winter

flooding seeping swimming

up aching veins

filling gaps with i c e

unsteady floorboards

struggling to hold heavy weight

throw needles against the wood

watch them shatter

a sharp edge into the air

/gasp/

breath pulled in so tight

a corset gathered

suffocating

stemming my voice

whispers turned to white

nails dented over a clogged throat

the last mouthful of life

swallowed down with

regret.

*

a fingertip caught on the spindle

a drip

seeping

flooding

crimson dashes across the floor.

but no broken glass.

just

silence.