hemoglobin and sodium chloride

glass tears, salty lacerations,
cutting through paper-thin skin
and paper-thin defense.

cold blood leaking between
the cells of bitten lips.
always finding its way to the surface.

it loves the limelight,
the attention recieved
immediately upon its arrival

while the heart that feeds it
crumples a little more
beneath the pressure of deep breaths.

control:
a craving,
a luxury,
a fantasy.