Nightmare

My hands tremble

As I thread the needle.

Beside me, she is bleeding.

So much blood.

I tied the knot

Around the eye,

And another in the end.

She is still bleeding,

And I heard her toddler's voice

Whimper.

She is my baby sister,

And she is cut

From the throat

To the pelvis.

I push the needle through her skin,

Carefully hurrying,

And ask her to be still.

She looks into my eyes

And I see torment.

Help me,

I tell my brother.

Help me

Hold the wound shut.

His large hands

Push her delicate skin together

And I push the needle through again.

It hurts her,

I can see this,

But I pray

That this pain will save her.

I pray

As I push the needle through

Again

And again.

-

I awake

With tears in my eyes

And blood,

So much blood,

Between my fingernails.