She Is A Thorn

I’m a thorn goddess.
My Medusa and Labret piercings,
will nibble, scratch and tear,

as I allow you to eat me.
Rashes will rage red
over your clean, smooth skin.

Lips and hips slotted with metal
will grind your ligatures.

I’ll smile at your wounds,
try to open them further
with my claw rings.

Paul Brookes was poetry performer with “Rats for Love” and his work included in “Rats for Love: The Book”, Bristol Broadsides, 1990. His first chapbook was “The Fabulous Invention Of Barnsley”, Dearne Community Arts, 1993. He has read his work on BBC Radio Bristol and had a creative writing workshop for sixth formers broadcast on BBC Radio Five Live. Recently published in “I Am Not A Silent Poet”, “The Beatnik Cowboy”, “Clear Poetry”, “Red Fez”. Much more about Paul Brookes can be found via his web site by clicking here…