trial of the tired

Judge me

Keep eyes on the snakeskins that slowly come alive.

I won't complain when they constrict

And squeeze the tears out of me.

It was always there, that guilt.

From the day I was first bitten

I grew fangs

From the day I found fellow animals

I would bite.

Of course I would.

So expect it.

Plant your feet and wrestle,

Ignore the fox's empathy, it's not worth

The battles you'll fight and the blood you'll shed.

I'll only ever defend myself

At least that's what my rusty-nail claws

And chainmail eyes say.

/