Superficial Cuts

she hacks at her own skin

holds my hand while she cries

I tell her that she’s safe

but she still sees bad guys

/

the hatred when I think about

her alone while she was afraid

doesn’t change that I feel selfish when

I ask her to pass me the blade

/

she talks about what happened

and I point out the North Star

she says a million shallow cuts

could kill you but might not scar

/

she sips a tea and sings to me

while I clean up her arm

ask her next time can we stargaze

before she starts to harm