Bleeding

 

"Stop bleeding    said the knife

I would if I    could said the cut.

Stop bleeding    you make me messy with the blood.

I'm sorry    said the cut.

Stop or    I will sink in farther said the knife.

Don't    said the cut.

The    knife did not say it couldn't help it but

it    sank in farther.

If    only you didn't bleed said the knife I wouldn't

have    to do this.

I know    said the cut I bleed too easily I hate 

 

 

that I    can't help it I wish I were a knife like   

you and    didn't have to bleed.

Well    meanwhile stop bleeding will you said the knife.

Yes you    are a mess and sinking in deeper said the cut I   

will have    to stop.

Have you    stopped by now said the knife.

I've almost    stopped I think.

Why must you    bleed in the first place said the knife.

For the same    reason maybe that you must do what you   

must do said    the cut.

I can't stand    bleeding said the knife and sank in farther.

I hate it too said    the cut I know it isn't you it's   

me you're lucky to be    a knife you ought to be glad about that.

Too many cuts around    said the knife they're

messy I don't know how    they stand themselves.

They don't said the cut.

You're bleeding again. 

 

 

 

No I've stopped said the cut    see you are coming out now the

blood is drying it will rub    off you'll be shiny again and clean.

If only cuts wouldn't bleed    so much said the knife coming

out a little.

But then knives might become    dull said the cut.

Aren't you still bleeding a    little said the knife.

I hope not said the cut.

I feel you are just a little. 

Maybe just a little but I can    stop now.

I feel a little wetness still    said the knife sinking in a   

little but then coming out a    little.

Just a little maybe just enough    said the cut.

That's enough now stop now do    you    feel better now said the knife.

I feel I have to bleed to   feel I   think said the cut.

I don't I don't have to    feel said    the knife drying now

becoming shiny."

 

 by May Swenson

 

 

 

 All photography by Francesca Woodman.