I paint the bitter
coating over my keratin
carefully on the vulnerable spots
in sunlight
the tips of my fingers like
the barrels of ten polished guns
thin protection I realize
against an enemy
that has never lost
and will attack again soon enough
one absent-minded nip
might gain purchase
and wound from there
three months they say
a battle not to win
just defend
three months before
a tyrant tires and searches
for other unwary prey
surely you’ve noticed every
bad habit starts with hands raised
and weapons out of sight
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