Lines written on 25th November 2018 Traduzione al italiano
Draw blood, anoint yourself
Smear
her.
Tell her she is a self-harmer
Because she defends her brother.
Aim a barbed lie
At the creamy, soft underbelly
of her unfurling self-image.
Tell her she failed at something she valued
Deliberately
to hurt you.
Cloak malice in paternal sanctimony.
As she howls in startled pain
Twist and push harder,
Smile, and repeat calmly
“Autolesionista”
Deprive her of stability
Take away small luxuries
Make her beg for necessities.
Slap her across the face
When she disrobes dishonesty
Push her to the limit
and watch her tremble
But above all lie.
Lie to her because she dares
to challenge your veracity.
Lie to the doctor who asks what's wrong.
Lie to the authorities who smell
the hidden bruising.
Lie to your friends who never knew.
Lie to far-away family and
with Napolitan Omertà
dishonor death.
In the blaze of blue lights
Lie to yourself about who
is brandishing the weapon.
Tell her you own the truth
About that which would not be believed
in Venice.
Though to you she is but a form in wax,
Claw at her skin
Demanding a dreamed-up pound of flesh,
Feign incomprehension
As she walks away
With no regrets.