A New Ritual
The first nosebleed
a shock
to wake in the dark to the warmth
flooding
familiarstrange
knowing something was wrong
acting before thoughts formed
bright red
a warning
take care of yourself
do something
make it stop
The second, a night later,
much calmer
(how odd to adjust so quickly
to the startling crimson gushing
as though it were natural)
press here; wait.
Later rinse the stains away with hot water
it's over;
it will be okay.
_____________
I wrote this back in 1991.
This seemed a good place for it to live.