Z ~ How to deal with domestic accidents

In the event of a woman
cutting herself whilst washing
her knives in the kitchen sink
Go to her side

When the blood brolly opens
Take her hand in yours and press it
Clean the cut in running water
Lead her to her room

whispering sweet wasps of urgency
in her ear. Smell her hair
Imagine the fragrance of witch hazel
beached there. Smell her fingers
Imagine the blood is cigarette stains

When you reach her bedsit
sit her on the bed. You should have
a first aid kit handy. If not,
throw up your arms

Ask God, implore the Devil
Sell your faith for a first aid kit
and when you have it, take out
a roll of bandage

Tie it round her fingers, firmly and softly
mending her. Kneel to her
Imagine the fragrance of witch hazel
on her anxious breath. Her fingers
wrestle your meddling hands

Watch her chest rise and fall
as you'd trace the moon through cold cloud
Her eyes will be maddened moths
drawn to hot blood

As you finish, close her hand
Thank her for the ceremony with your lips
Then return to your dangerous papers
and write about her