I never truly understood the meaning of 'devastated' until I was

if I'm not the same
as you. If I hit a trigger examine it,
reflect a bit. Ask how I evoked
the response. Don’t ensconce

yourself in venom or stew. I haven’t
a thing over you. How can you live
if you can't forgive yourself for
the woman you are. Every star

shines. We don't
sparkle the same. Every woman
has a given name.

I walked down the
street
and bought you some
medicine
to help ease your
toothache,
because I can't stand
idly
by while you're in
pain.

Longing for a gentle spring rain and
Pointless conversation with you.
We find shelter, shivering.
You huddle next to me for warmth

You remind me of a penguin
I love penguins

I still write poems about you
the same way
a widow
brings flowers to the grave
each word is tied
to your shadow
led to the slaughterhouse
for muted screams
we only existed
in the gap of time
inside the silence between heartbeats
now our borrowed history
is fading
like the end of a song
like the last line of a poem

my father had a
sense of humor,
and high hopes
for his first born son.

almost named me
Short ‘n Sweet,
cause that is how
most like life.

thot about calling me,
*******,
cause that is what
most deserve to be told.

but he didn’t want
no blowback, so he he
stuck me with this name,
Mark Upright.

all I gotta say is this
and it’s short & sweet:

Dad, take note,

*******,

my *******,

for you, see it,

marked upright.

If my fate is to love you
From a distance
Then I'll burn for you
Like a star in your night sky
Bright, steady, reliable
Unwavering
Until the end of time.

crush my bones
sever my feet
stomp in my face
watch me bleed
ain't it fun
to taunt the weak