Cut-shallow once
twice
pressing blade into taught flesh.
third
another,
gentle kisses from a blunted knife
barely etched into young skin;
undulating ridges of a bruised mind
left like the footprints of a lonely traveler.
soft compulsions
to bring blade to body
lead to eyelash scratches
scattered on palest wrist.
The innocent embrace of a weapon
on a jaded soul.