The Knot of It

 

Hatred, hurtred, the knot of it, the rope

dipped in blood and the old blood dried

so hard so fast so many times,

the weight of the knot, a swinging cosh,

hatred, hurtred, the knot of it, the rope.

 

Hating, hurting, the sharp dog, his coat

drenched in blood and the old blood dried

so hard so sharp so many times,

sharp like varnish, sharp like rust-crusts, the razor-coated dog

hating helplessly, hurting hopelessly.

 

Hatred, hurtred, the heft of it, the knot

soaked and hardened, soaked and hardened

so many times, so many many times.

A fossil of blood, un-disentangleable.

Hatred, hurtred, the knot of it, the bite.

 

Clair Mullineaux