I've forgotten how to live
like a man on death row
accustomed to four walls
and the monotony of routine
waiting for the inevitable

yet still I hold out for the miracle
some dna evidence that this is all a mistake
that there is something waiting for me
and that this death will give way
to pastures full of sheep
waiting for the shepherd to return

Many a time in life he thinks,
of how well to society he links.
Sometimes a COWARD,
sometimes a SHRIMP,
always a loser,
never does he win.

Unable to relate, he wanders around
places unknown; maybe homeward bound,
but knoweth he not, to where belongs,
that is a place nowhere to be found.

I wake to the heaviness of your arm
cradling me like a delicate bird,
tending to my wounded wings
making me feel like I can fly without them

I open my eyes to see the sunlight
peering through the shielding curtains
waiting to be pried wide open
so I can greet the day with my raw self

I hear the gliding of paws eagerly prancing
over each step of the stairway
strutting into our room to appease the curiosity,
her tail dancing to each step she takes

I taste the sensation of night's last,
the memory rushing to my head
as I graze my tongue over what's left of you
and my body basks in the sweetness of it all

I smell the summer air sneaking through the screen
grazing over my salt-coated skin
filling my lungs with infinite life,
each exhale soaked with relief

I feel the purring of content,
the steady breathing of heavy dreams,
and the love radiating from each
as I slowly drift back to sleep

20 | 31 Poems for August

The stars urged me to write something about you.
The stars urged me to write a poem as beautiful as you.
I’ve got ink stains on my fingers and happiness overflowing in my heart.
I’ll have no need for poetry when embracing your body becomes my art.
The weather hasn’t been the same ever since the sun decided to impersonate the warmth of your aura.
Now I spend most of my time basking in the warmth of your presence.
I still cannot control nor explain loving you the way I do.
This love will carry us into the future no matter what we go through.
In a sky full of constellations, you’ll always be my favourite star.
It’s within your simplicity where I discovered how beautifully complex you are.
I’ve kept your fingerprints pressed between the pages of my favourite book.
Somewhere between the prologue and chapter five.
The day you re-introduced me to love my soul came alive.
The world is beautiful but it’s nothing without you.
It’s amazing how you love me the way you do.
In a sky full of constellations, you’ll always be my favourite star.
The pages of my heart are saturated with words describing how phenomenal you are.
I could write poetry forever with the inspiration our chemistry provides.
Young muse, these words have all been written for you.
Only you.

I feel you moving inside my soul
you move me
and, I have no control
you take me to other fields
you take me where I have no shields
a woman that's always held her ground
Steady. Strong. Fierce
A lioness stare that could pierce.
A woman that knows she belongs
Still. A woman that longs...
longs for love
the kind of love
where she belongs.

you are a man I've never known
you are a man that's helped me grow.

I saw you in winter,
and thought of tree branches feathered by starlight in poorly lit neighborhoods. A hearth where the more honest parts of myself, I am bared fetal, warmed upon, welcomed.

I saw you in spring,
and thought of long drives in the countryside in the rain. Ice cream melting from our chins dancing petrichor upon our toes, kissing by the sea shore.

I saw you in summer,
and thought of sleepy boathouses, uncovering ancient childhood treasures in the woods. A secret lake somewhere, the sky's reflection in promise. Windy hilltops upon which to blame each other for the sunrise.

I saw you in autumn,
and thought of scarfs and cafes, city streets and sunsets where we watched each others breath escape. Apartment staircases where windchill hibernates, the world slowing down around us from your window.

The first time I saw You, I thought to myself, "I could live there."

And when you told me about all the things you love,
With mad passion in your eyes,
I fell in love with you

And when you shared your thoughts,
Too private for small talk,
I fell in love with you

And when you placed your responsibilities over your self,
Too demanding for anyone to fulfil,
I fell in love with you

And when you loved,
Loved a stray dog, affectionately working your fingers on his neck,
I fell in love with you

And when you hid your pain,
Masked brilliantly in your laugh, for no naked eye to suspect,
I fell in love with you

And when you sang Chasing Cars,
Humming, unconcerned with the passing traffic,
I fell in love with you

And when you told me about your day,
From the big accomplishments, to the tiny, gorgeous observations,
I fell in love with you

And when Ed Sheeran sang All of the Stars,
Thinking all I wanted was nothing more, than to see you walking in that door,
I fell in love with you

And when they told me how amazing you are,
People unexposed to even a fifth of your brilliance;
Privileged,
I fell in love with you

And a million other times,
In a thousand other moments,
Irrespective of intent,
Forever more,
I fell in love with you