congratulations…

my cells freeze abruptly
halted in their journey

red blood white blood
blood blood
paralyzed

and then rushed onto
the site of the wound —
a deep bash in the throat
from cowardly attacks

my bottom lip quivers quietly, unnoticed

death is painted here
its brushstrokes unmistakable
taboo and unclean
no one dares to look at me

cell by cell my body unfreezes
it relaxes into the horror

and I smile back and say
congratulations…