I stumbled from the remains—
Of the last ache
And shatter—
Barely breathing;
Cobwebs in the corners;
And his name scrawled out—
Black inked over—

Tattoed—

His name;

Emblazoned—

Across my breast—
In which resides
A heart—
Faintly fluttering;
Cross-hatched with regret;
Keening a lullaby to love—
Strangled out—

Silent—

His name;

Unuttered—

Catching in my throat—
Which is slit
choking on lifeblood—
Slowly trickling;
Faintly stinging rivulets;
So quick I did not realize—
Gushing out—

Carved—

His name;

Chiseled—


This time—
When he hurts me
I won’t let it show—
This time;
When he cuts me;
Its just calligraphy—

In stone.