Spare me
Sharp needles
Splintering my skin
Glistening knives
Trailing rosebuds
In their path
Mute bottles
Snaking potions
Into my weary blood!

Wouldn’t you rather
Remember me
Perfect
Uncut
Unscarred
Uncowed?


Aeons ago
A rose-petalled bed
Safe in your arms
Whispering
I will love you
Long after I die!

I believed
It then
Can you please
Believe it now?