Hemorrhaging

For five days

I did not look

Could not look

where my wounds

bleed freely

into the ivory 

parchment

for fear 

the spill would run

over the edges

the lines

unable to sop

up the grief

I watched the nurses

pack sterile pads

into your womb

to stint the bleeding

each swollen 

beyond its capacity 

and hung on the green tiled walls

to keep count

8

9

10

one more and a transfusion would be needed

I held my breath

and you kept breathing

then

a new life

you brought to your breast

Now my soul 

bleeds out

I will these words 

to have 

preternatural powers 

to absorb

to heal

that writing 

is the wielding of swords

and

wrapping of bandages

all the same

You are no longer

breathing

and I am keeping count

7

8

9

10