bleeding

i have bled through band-aids the fifth time today
my mom promised to patch me up
but i can’t seem to get home
scraped up on the sidewalk
i didn’t see who pushed me
only a sea of blue cotton marching on

i stand up and run in the opposite direction
sidewalk squares, sidewalk squares
one after the other
i won’t stop until they end

i catch up to my breath
and rush into the nearest storefront
shopping for some sympathy
“does anyone have any band-aids?”
crossed arms, i’m holding my hands over cuts
no one answers me
“HELLO?! does anyone have a band-aid?! i’m bleeding, please help me!”
again, nothing
i start sobbing as i scream
“HELP ME, PLEASE !!!”
blank pupils, flies landing on eyeballs

i sprint out, in shock
there’s more blood
where am i? world is spinning
no time, just scorching sun
i lay on a park bench
the trashed news will be my bandages
i clutch paper to what is left of skin
as i see black