a lit candle
in a darkened room
a black book—
hands holding the cover shut
it cannot hurt.
you try
you pry
it won’t be read
you won’t forget
a bruise panging in the night
it cannot hurt.
it cannot hurt you anymore.
gnash your teeth
a toothache, a sore
a scab to pick
the skin breaks and
the bone shows through
it cannot hurt.
it cannot hurt you anymore.
it cannot hurt you any more than it did before.
©copyright Allison Smidt 2021
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