Old self-knowledge, the old fear
of blood loss, watch out
for predators

and dream of vampires
dream of witches
who drink the blood

of the unborn
who drink the blood
of their mothers

the sweet blood
which also nourishes mosquito eggs
the blood that gives life

to all animals, a body
is a trunk full of blood
blue pale green yellow pink and red

to catch or for sale at farms
breeding stations and speciality stores

the leeches with caeca
at the pharmacy, without a prescription

oh, ticks will wait a year
five years if it's only then that you come