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.