Offering
The plate is passed.
Each woman pricks her finger, and in plops a single drop of blood.
Each man passes it on, offering nothing.
He does not prick his finger.
He does not offer his blood.
*
The plate passes.
Each woman slices her pinky off, letting it thud into the silver platter.
Each man passes it on, offering nothing.
He keeps his pinky.
*
The plate is passed.
Each woman gives a hand. An arm. A toe. A foot.
The men pass it on.
They remain whole.
*
The plate is passed.
The men pass it to each other.
There are no more women.
They ask each other why.