I realize that they look awful
my fingers and thumbs my fingers and thumbs
nine and a half or ten all the same
(sun moon stars rain)
bloody and angry they stare up at me
and I view their destruction of my own volition
I didn't used to do this
but then they left and left and left and now I pick and pick and pick
my mom prays the rosary when she feels like this
ten strands then one verse ten strands then one verse
I pray with my fingers and offer it up and offer it all
a private virgin sacrifice, privy to me
I didn't used to do this but even that's not true,
I didn't do this until I'd met you.
I pray with my fingers and offer it all,
and savor the blood and the feel of the fall.