I was told that etiquette was redeeming,
so I made sure to repeat the word over and over —
as if it frothed, crystallized, then glistened
on my razor-sharp tongue.
“Please,” I said. “Please.”
as my fists rained down upon my own flesh,
leaving beautiful bruises to bloom.
“Thank you,” I said
when I finally lost consciousness.
“That’ll do for now.”
