it is so hard
to be gentle
when I always have
the taste of blood
in my mouth
©KNL
Nov 2, 2023
Nov 2, 2023 at 2:45 PM UTC
my mind
is a birdcage
rotten
with blood
and feathers
©KNL
Sep 15, 2023
Sep 15, 2023 at 1:12 AM UTC
I miss my father
he isn't dead
only pretends to be
he dims the light
behind the curtains
to make it seem
as though no one is home
as though no one
is dusting the family photos
sweeping cobwebs
off the best of times
we don't talk
about the worst of times
then again
we don't talk much at all
still, he was a good teacher
I am a good student
I have learned my lesson
closed my curtains
dimmed my lights
locked my door
©KNL
Jun 28, 2023
Jun 28, 2023 at 2:57 AM UTC
there is an ocean
in me
it is vast
inescapable
many times
I have tread
the waves
that roll
through me
over me
I am
drowning
in myself
even after
all the lessons
in the deep end
©KNL
Jun 25, 2023
Jun 25, 2023 at 3:32 AM UTC
It is a warm summer night
I am 8 years old
My bare feet are stained
Caliche rock white
A remnant
Of hide-and-seek
I am alone
In my room
My sisters and cousins
Are playing games
In the room next to mine
My family is outside
Papa's laugh
Infectious
Through the open windows
The scent of barbecue
Permeates the air
I am still full on sopapillas
Shared with Mimi
After soccer practice
And smuggled candy
It is a warm summer night
I am 8 years old
And I am happy
©KNL
Jun 19, 2023
Jun 19, 2023 at 6:18 PM UTC
you speak
soft words
onto my lips
I savor your
sweet nothings
warm and lovely
on the tongue
©KNL
Jun 19, 2023
Jun 19, 2023 at 6:17 PM UTC
soft heart
soaks up loss
a sponge
to be rung out
used again
again
again
©KNL
Mar 16, 2023
Mar 16, 2023 at 3:24 AM UTC
we are all
silhouettes
of the universe
maybe
that is why
we can't help
but look up
©KNL
Jan 31, 2023
Jan 31, 2023 at 4:02 AM UTC
I was born a carpenter
I have been patching holes
in the walls,
putting beams back in place
so that the whole building
does not crumble inward,
the way a dying star does,
all fire and dust
in empty space
my hands are tired
from holding up
the weight of my world
with these rusted tools
maybe the cracks
will let some light in
©KNL
Oct 18, 2022
Oct 18, 2022 at 11:01 PM UTC
when we sleep
you wake me gently
to kiss me
tell me I'm beautiful
moon as our witness
that itself is a dream
I never want
to wake from
©KNL
Oct 17, 2022
Oct 17, 2022 at 7:05 PM UTC