Blood and cardboard

At the Edge IV by Scharjeel Sarfaraz. Courtesy: ArtChowk Gallery

Blood found in the crevice
of the sidewalk near
where you used to live

splattered there long ago
in a battering by someone
you barely remember

brought back when the wind
blows your hair a certain way
and the scar is revealed

life made you expert at hiding
self contained in a box you wait
till it is safe to come out

there no one sees you and the wounds
heal better in the darkness
spilled blood dries dark brown

the color of cardboard left
in the driveway, a prey
to men in cars who would hurt you

~ Daniel von der Embse

Daniel von der Embse was born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio, and graduated from Ashland University with a B.A. degree in Theatre. He began writing poetry after a four-decade career as a copywriter for advertising agencies in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City.