I’m running with scissors
for writing this down
I’m running with scissors
just walking around

if you lived in a place
where people get killed
for the people they know
or the lists they could fill

would you get out your scissors?
and break into a run?
or would you lock all your gates
while the world has it’s fun?

she must have woke early
to be out and about
to be 4am running
with her scissors held out

and I wonder who called them
the people next door
‘your mother is dead
we can’t tell you much more …

yes we’re really so sorry
your mother is dead
and we really don’t know
who put 12 shots in her head’

yes running with scissors
is a daily game here
just going to market
or grabbing a beer

or just riding to work
you can really get killed
for the people you know
or the lists you could fill

but I’m back in Australia
let’s all shout hooray
for a few months at least
I can put my scissors away …

© 2016 Melinda Irvine

This poem was also published on ABC Open under the project: Running with Scissors.



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4 responses to “Running With Scissors”

  1. It’s difficult to put “like” when you are living running with scissors. Regards.

    1. it’s a crazy place here but things seem to have calmed a bit lately … mel.

  2. Lovely Mel. Its a crying shame anyone has to feel liek they need to run with scissors isn’t it . I have just read Captive in Iran about 2 young women who were arrested for beign christians in Iran and sent to Evin prison for 6 months…. It is a must read.

    1. Thanks Jodie for taking the time to read this poem, I felt compelled to write it. I will check out that book too. Mel.

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