Blood Sisters
between learning and laundry
backs against redbrick building
legs crossed Indian-style
Agnes tells Leona
“you should marry my brother”
they pinky swear
but it’s not set
until Agnes swipes
a kitchen knife
and they pledge in blood
to be sisters forever
pressing their palms together
a sticky red promise
teacher catches them out
of sight behind the rectory
pulls their hair
flushed and inflamed
she pinches their legs
to hear them squawk
makes Agnes kneel
to lick Leona’s hand wound
a viscous curious bloom
clean before sending them
to scrub floors
on prayer-bruised knees