...................shaking.
...................hands lifting
...................small blade
...................large duty
...................comfort.

...................still.
...................hands holding
...................silver
...................to skin
...................pull
...................--don't
...................press
...................--don't

...................steady.
...................hands leaving
...................knife
...................no pain
...................no blood

...................shaking.
...................hands wiping
...................tears
...................bits of fear
...................drops of
...................strength
...................no more scars
...................today.