I Try to Write

my mind fights dirty

with itself—cheap shots—

low blows—punishing words

that's stupid, I snarl

and head-butt myself

in the face

we circle like jaguars,

snarling stalemate

stupid-stop wasting paper

blink and I have me by the hair

force my head back

sink teeth in my flesh

but I see it coming

take out my knees and roll free

we draw steel

slash—dodge—scream

I am spilling

from somewhere

this will not end

until half of me is dead