trying
to make you
love me
is like
trying
to count
all the
stars in
the sky.

it is
impossible.

and yet
here i am
crossing out
the stars
with a comet
so i don't
lose count.

i know that
i am trying
to squeeze
puzzle pieces
in places
they just
don't fit.

and i know that
when i solve
this equation
x + y
won't equal u.

but there is
a whisper
in my ear
as subtle as
a butterfly
landing delicately
on a flower.

and so i
tie my heartstrings
to that hope
and i swing from it
and try
not to scream
when i fall

and just pray
that you'll be there
to catch me.

and if you don't
i'll land
so hard
and blood
will stain
my jeans
and tears
will stain
my cheeks

and i'll look up
at the tars
(i only got
to 1003
before i
stopped counting).

and i'll curse them
for not
spelling it out
in the sky
that x + y
does not
equal u.