today
I was maimed
it was a tiny arrow
and it kissed my head
and grew like a creeper
over my veins

it struggled to contain itself
around my heart
it wrapped and wrapped
screamed loud
so loud
that the fear stuck in its throat
didn't come out

it was a moment, and
I stood still
when my bigotry fingers
tickled with awareness
and nerves
wanted to pull the arrow

I bled
red
blue
and black
but mostly
I saw red
they had no right
they had no sense

I was the nymph
and I heard it ringing
from everywhere

the hunter
the dying

but I didn't know where to look
I didn't know where to run

I was stuck
and I stood still

and I

let the arrow die with my sick heart

_____

©VioletEden

26thMatch2017