every woman knows
how to wash
blood from cloth
so it disappears
you might see the shadow of the stain
if you know how to look
oh, we hear the whispers
secret shames, not saying names
like we know the ache of
cold hands
cracked with soap
to soak blood away
tendrils shift and flow but
no, never be new again
blood, blood, indelible and
has War been declared?
or merely a parable
as we breathe battle cries
in soft, lipstick-smears
but
don’t underestimate the touch
the shrill, strident, bossy, quiet, nurturing clamour
of those who ken
how
to out blood
because we know how
know when,
oh, me too
minor, major, doesn’t matter
the wound sits
dark, underneath
and maybe it’s time
to win a battle
crack silence, a shot
and
take a little ground
do not, do not, underestimate the power
of those whose life is bound
in blood and shadows
do you feel it? The rising awe, the gore
I can taste blood. Blood! I can taste
a shift. blood
Blood,
I can taste…
victory
Added to dVerse open link night
clairevetica 
Love what you did here with that blood… I once read a crime story where the detective made it clear that the bloodstains remaining on a cloth proved that the murderer was a man… every woman knows how to get the blood away
ha ha, yes indeed. That’s a good plot device!
Women have a special relationship with blood. It comes over well in this poem. I especially like the opening lines.
Thanks Jane!
🙂
Especially strong opening Claire. Good piece, this.
Thanks Frank
Its a relationship that can take a lifetime…in the end, I don’t miss it at all ~ Thanks for sharing your poem at dVerse ~
My first ‘wound’ was at age eleven. I don’t miss it either…
Anna :o]
nice link with indelible and parable.
Thankyou! x
Great opening …strong poem Claire.
Thankyou!
Powerfully written 🙂
thankyou!
There “ivictory” at the end.
As a man i applaud your expertise, pragmatism, and victory. All I know about blood stains is to get it to cold water ASAP. The shape and verve of this piece is excellent wordsmithing.
Cool resolve… just short of a declaration of war, but still powerful. The flow of this reads like ominous stormclouds gathering momentum. Loved this.
Thanks Barry!
Ah, women and blood. “…the wound sits dark, underneath…”. Strong and intimate, Claire. Well done.
Thanks Sarah!
Clever!