On the Occasion of My First Erotic Piercing
Et ta blessure, où est elle?
— Jean Genet, ‘Le Funambule’No, I wasn’t always good to you
he wreathes his hands in latexAnyone can see that
purple — color of kings and contusionsSee all those marks on breasts and hips? his heavy rings swell against their rubber sheaths
Ate my way to some
“Quick breath in long breath out”Starved my way to others
world lights up wind roarsAll kinds of lines like tree rings date me blood tang alcohol reek “one two three”
Like those scars under the heavy watch I wear pliers twist flesh reels
Like that raw bald spot fresh stripped of hair but my purple‐veined darling see what you’ve done for me
But someday I’ll hurt you beautiful so beautiful
Joanna Grant