Strings Poem by Stefanie Fontker

You claim to care for me
But, only when I bleed
Your play of intensity
Is that of a phenomenon

Your fingers leave trails
Deep beyond my skin
Your demand to remember
And I obey

In your hierarchy
I want to be king
To drink the finest wine
And not care that it is blood

Coercion is your lover
But, I want to be first
You laugh and sigh
Only you know what I want

Your smile is cosmetic
I long to paint it over mine
So that you wouldn't frown
When you look at me

My lips are peeling
Swollen, like your heart
You do not feel
You are emotion

I am not coy, like your others
My cheeks do not colour
When you hold me
But I love you all the same

You think I am stupid
An imbecile, neurotic
Ungrateful of all
I am given

Do I antagonize you
When I look away,
Long for another
And then bleed to death?

You can do better
I am reminded everyday
But you care
When I let go of your hand