Bloody Noses
My first bloody nose landed my butt
on the concrete tears and shock
Pain and people deliver it?
My second bloody noses and I landed one
back the punch to the jaw
I delivered it too and the jerk of reaction?
My third bloody nose and I stopped it first
Push and shove and dig in and scrap and bob and weave and taunt
Cockiness as a dance.
One day I bloodied a nose and wasn't asked to stay.
Why did I swing?
Who am I again?
My fourth bloody nose and I got up to fight
but I only stood up.
Accepted the warm wet iron on my teeth and mouth.
I know who I am.
My fifth bloody nose will come and I will sit calmly
fold my hands on my stomach and ask...
“Why are you hurting?”