Bleeding ink instead of blood

It is what is coded on my DNA

It is the rhythm of my heartbeat

It is what is engraved on my soul

It is what is written in my anthology

It is my medicine

“MEDICINE “

Yeah, I think that is the perfect word to describe what art means to me

For all the times I felt the urge to down my anti-depressants with alcohol

But chose to bleed on pages instead

For all the times I wanted to curse God for all my pain

But decided to turn my prayers into a poem instead

For the time art kept me company in the midst of my dark hours

For that one time when music bandaged my wounds

And when Phora’s album made me feel like I had a companion

Like I am not the only one experiencing this hell

Art saved me

Copyright © Xoliswa Maduna