stylized knives

she coughed on diamonds
aging gracefully
captured in the outgoing
pitch perfect grins
and huddled sad masses

these are gravestones
these are old endings

marker
edge the board
increase the dose
stutter
and calm

they called these swords once
they called these words

i forget myself
shivering instincts
heeding the violent bland brands
for status
and sanctity

utter another and sharpen the wit
utter another and see what you get