Oh gosh, Dorothy. Such a grim and powerful image. The repetition really works. It would make a haunting song by someone like PJ Harvey.

Reading it I suddenly remembered a poem I read sometime in 80's or 90's- a knife blaming the wound it created for bleeding; using the chilling words and backwards logic of an abuser. It's been in the back of my mind all these years. I thought it was by Anne Sexton, from the theme and style it could be, and it was the same time period, but when I found it just now it turned out to be by May Swenson. The Wikipedia on her didn't say much about her childhood other than that her Mormon parents rejected her for being a lesbian; but she clearly knew a thing or two about bleeding. Some critics read this as an unhealthy collusion between a sadist and a willing masochist but I think the cut is just saying what it thinks it must to appease the knife. Here it is in its entirety:

BLEEDING by May Swenson

Stop bleeding said the knife
I would if I could said the cut.
Stop bleeding you make me messy with the blood.
I'm sorry said the cut.
Stop or I will sink in farther said the knife.
Don't said the cut.
The knife did not say it couldn't help it but
it sank in farther.
If only you didn't bleed said the knife I wouldn't
have to do this.
I know said the cut I bleed too easily I hate
that I can't help it I wish I were a knife like
you and didn't have to bleed.
Well meanwhile stop bleeding will you said the knife.
Yes you are a mess and sinking in deeper said the cut I
will have to stop.
Have you stopped by now said the knife.
I've almost stopped I think.
Why must you bleed in the first place said the knife.
For the same reason maybe that you must do what you
must do said the cut.
I can't stand bleeding said the knife and sank in farther.
I hate it too said the cut I know it isn't you it's
me you're lucky to be a knife you ought to be glad about that.
Too many cuts around said the knife they're
messy I don't know how they stand themselves.
They don't said the cut.
You're bleeding again.
No I've stopped said the cut see you are coming out now the
blood is drying it will rub off you'll be shiny again and clean.
If only cuts wouldn't bleed so much said the knife coming
out a little.
But then knives might become dull said the cut.
Aren't you still bleeding a little said the knife.
I hope not said the cut.
I feel you are just a little.
Maybe just a little but I can stop now.
I feel a little wetness still said the knife sinking in a
little but then coming out a little.
Just a little maybe just enough said the cut.
That's enough now stop now do you feel better now said the knife.
I feel I have to bleed to feel I think said the cut.
I don't I don't have to feel said the knife drying now
becoming shiny.

Icky, huh? That line by the knife "too many cuts around" sounds like thinly veiled version of what a misogynist might say.

Even though you evoke the same tragic sort of imagery it's clear from other stuff you're writing that you're in the process of healing; I'm so glad for that. And I hope Ms Swenson got a chance to. From the meager on line biographical material on her, her life doesn't sound too terribly grim by the standards of famous poets. Lots of awards and important university positions; no mention of addiction or suicide, and she had a wife (in everything but name + the legalities) from 1970 until her death in 1989. I think I'll check and see if the library has anything by her.