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K a t i e L o n g o f o n o
Make War
I want the bruise, I probe
the border between milk
and blue in tender lines.
Shine me down to a bitter
fist, tooth and bone, rattling
and reaching for lip.
Bite-marks blossom,
a rash like skin smudged
across asphalt. Rough me
around, sweat me out,
leave me scrapes to remember
you by. Abrade and unbraid
me, tug at my hair, make war
with my body. Light one last
cigarette, smash the embers
on my breast. Kiss the cooling
ring, bleeding pink. Put me out.
guest editor: Sara Biggs Chaney
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