My Uncut Life

Sometimes the darkness is crowding

like a soft grey vapour that descends

each crystal attaching to your skin

your skin recognizing the familiar blanketing warmth

and in a way, it feels good, it’s a pattern, it’s a friend,

someone who is a security,

until your access to oxygen is the prerequisite.

Then it becomes a battle to pick off each

minute, gradient crystal.

Diamonds are exquisite, says our society,

and if I’m covered in them and am careful

I won’t get cut.  Look around, everyone is 

I shimmer moving through my day to day 

My smile is blinding, my eyes sparkle 

full of life, 

and yet, 

if you just look one diamond below the surface

you will see the millions of small lines 

coloured in by a dark red.