I like to dress myself like an open wound – 
Tight, 
Hot blood seeping through the breathless gauze
Of my lips, my cheeks.

I like to keep my ears 
Pricked,
Like a needle,
Like a jewel,
Like prey.

You wouldn’t believe how much they 
Like to see fear in your eyes and

A blood clot in your open mouth.

It reminds them of a cherry,
They say:
An invitation
To tie a stem into a knot.

You see
Our blood is metallic
And so when they smell it
Their daggers vibrate and rise
And lunge towards you
Like magnets.

I'll admit,
It’s dangerous to draw knives out to you but
It’s more dangerous 

Not to see one coming.