by Sigrid E. Mortensen

© 2023

If you prick me

I bleed words

Words that drip

And trickle

And pool

Into patterns on paper

Patterns that have meaning

Patterns like ink blots

Patterns for those who see more in ink blots

Than ink blots.

If you prick me

I bleed truth

Not a Universal Truth

Perhaps

That can be transfused into every soul

But one that can save a spirit or two

If his type is a match

To mine.

If you cut me and the wounds are deep

I may apply a tourniquet

That stems the bleeding.

But a prick

A small prick

Barely noticed in my busy life

Rises in a bead

During quiet moments

And flows like ink

Onto an empty page.