I slid a knife across my stomach
Before a wide-eyed tribe,
They spoke among themselves
In rapid whispers

I set the blade aside
And unraveled
In pulsing shades of red,
They recoiled from the truth

So I bled out and spoiled
In open display,
Draining
To the rapid fire of gossip

Distressed
No one wrestled the blade away
From my guilty hands,
Before the knife broke my skin