Slashes

I've opened my veins: unstoppably,

Irrestorably, life spurts in sheets.

Bring your basins, bring your plates,

every plate will be too small.

Every basin too shallow.

                                                                                     Over the brim - past it -

To the black earth, to nourish the reeds.

Irrevocably, unstoppably,

Irrestorably, verse spurts in sheets.

Marina Tsvetayeva