Poetry by Richard C. Hayner

TEXAS POP FESTIVAL

The Wound

    The dagger of a thousand blades
    Piercing in my side.
    I know there's someone flanking me.
    I can't turn to see her hide.

    I turn my head far as it will,
    But still can't see her face.
    Now I feel her anticipate
    The handle, I feel her embrace.

    As the others, will she twist that knife?
    As a few, will she just let go
    Or gently pull it from my wound?
    I must wait until I know.

    Richard C. Hayner
    1971 ©