I remember poems about happier times
words like candy, eyes and love
now the only candy I see are the ones displayed to taunt me
the eyes I’m met with are filled with discontent
a longing
of which is not for me
but the love I feel still shows its presence
for it laughs in my face and it calls me naive
it presses nails to my palms and an itch in my throat
holds me down and begs me to come up

underwater
I don’t like the droplets in my eyes
the stains they leave on my cheeks
nor the redness they bring to my whites
yet it persists and doesn’t say a word when it comes
instead it holds the door open as soon as it leaves
“I’ll be right back”
and it’s telling the truth

I don’t tell the truth
lies come easy and I wonder how that happened
for I wonder if I’m a victim of nurture or if it’s faulty wiring of my own
does it even matter if no one listens?
that’s another lie
for I know people would listen
and I curse myself for not thinking that’s enough
because what if you don’t want to listen?
I always lend you my ear
still afraid of the day you won’t return the favour