When the blood fades

And when you have finished
cutting your hands with what
you might have to hand –
ring, knife or fire tooth –

wait
then wait
and wait

until you can smear the open fissures
down your white linen trousers.

When the blood fades the important
thing is not the signal you are sending.
Rather it is the reminder you will
sacrifice for the motherland,
whatever shape it takes.