Blade

If you look at a micrograph
or an electron picture
of the sharpest, cleanest metal blade
you’ll see dullness
and jagged-edged teeth.

You’ll know that this knife -
this knife rips when it cuts.

Use the same magnification
the same imaging techniques
on a shard of obsidian glass
you’ll see  smooth lines
and conchoidal-edged crystal.

You’ll know that this blade -
this blade slices, splitting cleanly.

I’ve been cut by glass before
A slit so subtle,
so deep,
I never noticed
until I’d bled almost dry.

But not you.
When you cut me I know it
I feel the rip,
the blood torn out of me.
To stanch or let flow as I
as we
see fit.
And I know you -
You are my steel blade.

For you, I’ll bare my chest.
For you, I’ll show my neck.

—

Blade the May-June Gallery selection at The Erotic Readers and Writers Association.

Also tweeted for #wankwedensday 5/18/11