An Ode to my Bloody Fingers, by Zoë Graber

I’ve never been afraid to bleed.

My fingers coated over with dried blood,

Yellow crust.

Pieces of skin poking out at every angle.

But I’ve never been afraid to bleed.

My young fingers mutilated with ease.

I’ll tear myself apart,

Layer by layer.

I’ve never been afraid to bleed,

Never wishing for fear.

Until it comes to that dry blood that covers my fingers.

I’ve never been afraid to bleed,

Maybe that’s what I’m afraid of.

— Zoë Graber

Zoë Graber is a 16-year-old from Richmond, Virginia. She owns a Depop business where she sells clothes and handmade jewelry. She enjoys thrifting, journaling/scrapbooking, music, poetry and so much more. Z is a huge advocate for human rights and a proud member of the (l)gbtq+ community.