Lines written on 25^th 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.