Avoiding Infection

I am bleeding less, now.

I soaked the blood up with cottonwool

and wrapped myself in gauze and silence.

I''m sure I lost more than I thought

because now my skin is pale,

tender to touch

and I can''t stop shaking.

You cut me and I bleed I bleed

I bleed.

Salt water.

I should use salt water

to keep out disease.

But the sea is too far away.