we purge with ***
cut each other with
deserves and things
we know will hurt,

perform venesection
with our mouths, divide
and conquer with teeth
tear in instead of heal

wield our mistrust
because walls are dignified
no castle ever withstood a siege
without bloodletting.

we barricade ourselves
in because that is safe
but sometimes we need
to bleed, sometimes
I need to

bleed.