By Oscar Nicholson
Put me on a pedestal, I want bliss
Write me blood-strewn letters And
wrap me up with memories Of
lovers you miss
Box me up and feed me
scraps, crumbs
Chewed up balls
Of meals you half-finished,
Give me a wheel to run on
And on and on and on
Groom me when my hair grows long
And sedate me when I start to see
through the bars.
Beat my brain until I smell stars
And my eyes rain blood
And I see metal through ears
You have scraped to the bone.
Abandon me when I weep for you most
And smother me when I need to be alone.
Make me swallow the list of all my faults
And force it back in when I vomit,
Serve me my shame on burnt toast,
Take my tongue with all its words
And roast it.
Cut my skin and spit in the wound
Rub salt and laugh,
Sing me a tune when I’m about to faint
And give me a bandage
And stroke my face.
I’ll cower in your corners
And grovel at your feet
Clean your shoes at your command
And offer my flesh when you want to eat,
I’ll be your vessel
A skin suit you try on and discard.
Just please, please
dont shed me too quickly,
Or erase the spots you bled on,
Remember me when you wear another,
And give me one ‘goodbye’
I can use to prick me
Until I’m dead,
And gone.