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