Page 65 - The Bridge Vol 17_pgs

VOLume 17

The black Tar Sheep

Rachael Sweeney

Twelve years old:
that’s when I heard of you for the first time,
though I never saw your face.
I watched you
carefully,
scared,
far too young.

Brown powder
Poppy flower
Burnt spoons
Twelve years old

You’ve tainted all the veins I love—
I almost feel you coursing through mine.
They are warm with dopamine;
I am hot with anger.

Dopamine
Dope sick
Dope sick thief
First it was my belongings,
shortly after, my heart.

Black veins
No sleep
Stay away from me, Heroin,
I am the black tar sheep.

63