It is a serious condition, they say,
certified and verified
by the AMA,
the National Psychiatric Guild,
God only knows how many others
have poked and probed and studied,
have bothered
themselves with those like me.
It is a condition—true—but all I know
is that sweet, waiting pain when I scrape
blunt nails (purposely pared with one
ragged edge) along the nape
of crisp-dried blood.
I know the sharp tug of nail
on clotted scab, lifting a brittle edge,
pulling harder, then the swell
of brightness beneath,
red pulsing brightness, subtle wedge
of flame unsheathed.
I scrape again, releasing
now the unfettered flow—and watch
it pool across the furrows of my flesh
in pleasing,
random patterns—see it catch
on white-ridged scars and fresh,
still-tender welts.
I watch, mesmerized. I smell
warm blood-scent. I touch the back
of hand to lips and melt
all inhibitions as my salty self
merges, tongue to skin,
completes my secret pact.
A contest entry
- Life isn't everything, Death isn't nothing 1000+ point contest, LOTS OF OPTIONS!~Still open!!!~ by Soten-Jaganshi.
1100 points, ended September 7, 2007, 62 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Poem For a Disease by TheShadowsOfMe.
850 points, ended October 29, 2007, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Act Apalled, And Listen To The Past by pillowjoe.
600 points, ended January 3, 2008, 12 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - [x] Lots of options [x] Something for everyone! Read! by Jade-.
450 points, ended January 28, 2008, 37 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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Hey,
This is very good. I'm not the best "judge" but I can simply say, I liked it. I liked the choice of words especially, and it is very poetic. Sorry I can't be better to judge.
Thanks for entering my contest, best of luck!
[x] -
OMG, you say it oh so much better than I....owieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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I don't agree, but thanks anyway. I'm lucky; I have a sensitive wife who keeps gently reminding me not to tear away at myself. Sometimes it works.
Thanks again.
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I like it like maggie said It takes you to the dark side but you forgot disease name in author notes
Good luck in the contest -
This poem kept me on the edge of the chair--glad it is not dark yet. I keep reading the last stanza, especially "...I watch mesmerized." That is the feeling I get when I read the entire poem. It takes you to the dark side, the one we try and deny and you read "mesmerized." Good luck in the contest!
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