Pink

I hear them
Muffled rumors in the quiet space

Skin peels from sinew pink
Wide-eyed and squirming fear
Pulse to quicken
The warming glow
Don’t cry … I love you

I hear them
Echoes in thinly veiled whispering

Lines of red in tangent seep
Silken cord and eagle spread
Dance the puppet
Writhe and twitch
Shush, don’t cry … I love you

I hear them
Murmuring just inside the darkness

I’m not listening
You’re worthless
Petty and small
I have the power
Not you
I control the madness
Not mother

Cold steel glistening crimson trace
Careful and properly made
End it too quickly
The voices won’t go
Don’t cry … I know you love me

I hear them
Watching me silently, shuffling still

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“Pink” © John Anthony. All Rights Reserved.