He put a ring
On her finger
Just for a day
Before his hooded
Friend came
And took her away
A family heirloom
To say I'd keep it
This way
He put a ring
On her finger
Just for a day

Melancholy is a tritone
Or an unresolved major seventh
A better life is literally
A half step away
Yet I ring out detectable tension
And you cringe when I am articulated
Enjoy your major triad
In C
Coward
Irving Berlin could only compose with black keys

Skin scrubbed raw for the thousandth time
Bleach became my boy
The container impenetrable, sanitary sanctuary
I bled soap suds through unclogged pores
Exposed without the film that blurred all interaction
Flash freedom and a taste of humanity to new buds
The light stung my eyes, and I turned to hide
Hasty retreat and acceptance of defeat
I saw a doctor, and he gave me a shot
But forgot
To clean the wound
Or change the dressing
Infection claimed me and drove me mad
I ran home barefoot in a hospital gown
Dodging bats and rats and wolves
And I dove into the mud, rolled about
Bathing in soothing gratification
Caked in routine and ruminating about the choices and the fall
I watched the sky, contemplating zero or more

I have a text saved
That mentions you
In the present tense
Because I can still smell you
And apparently you kept my bed warm
When I was away

I’m still me
And I hope somewhere
You’re still you
Running through open fields in your dreams

A student of mine sat on the steps
Clenched, clammy, and bulging with strained strength
Periodically overcome by shadows of pathology
This night he begged for help through gaps of cyclical consciousness
A funeral trail for clarity ambled solemnly to the gymnasium
He was surrounded, and they plotted, and advanced, and he was engulfed
They were upon him like a ****** seeking seed or vulture carrion
He seized on an arched back and suffered under octodemons
On that hard wood floor under dead bulbs that swung like momentous pendulums
My student transformed into a tiger leaking rage from rusty cage
Explained in eloquent detail and prophetic tone his will to ****
Blacking out to full extent
He was amygdala, he was instinct
Battling grown poachers until they stole his fearsome fangs
Clipped his claws, and painted over his stripes with calm
When contained, vicious umbra cat turned tranquil
We sat circular and played lobster ball pass with our toes
And talked about buses to New York
His mother taught him to be a songbird
While the streets moved his feet
Goodnight Archery, we hugged
I wonder how he's
Breathing

Our land of opportunities had padded walls
A snaking labeled hall with numbered rooms
We walked in peace right through the door
But having entered, fought to the floor
Room one
Sit in the blood square
For five minutes
And don’t speak or stir
Her vision blurred from the palm pressing eye
Heavy because she had spit in mine
Sideways face in mildewed waste as legs and arms were trapped
Thrashing core meant bear hug wrap, job of five for three
Bites and banging bone on brick
Flesh in nails and teeth in kick
Gagging sputters mucous river
Choking, sobbing, cheek to dust
***** gurgle, stomach churned and arms made sore vibrations
Battle on, gnashed front bucks and saliva begged for hold
Gave up and gave in, counted and relaxed
But because of fatigue
Not because
She gave
A
****
Can you hear me in there
Slow down
Who am I
You?
Where are we
The oh-*******-see
Center of calm in torrential tempest
Room two
Share my glare and ice your raccoon bruise
Dimly lit from lack of wit but process all the same
Careful frame to highlight spark of pain, making work from game
Criss cross apple sauce sitting in the rain
Room three
Her best attempt
Turn the time to line
She fumbled and forgot a lot but in the end was fine
Room four
Plan for pupil fish to return to learn
Apologize profusely and repair the damaging deeds
It was late so
I walked home
She slept in an office
And my skin healed eventually

He picked up the photograph
Fingered the bent corner gently
Admired time’s handiwork and
Compared familiar faces

A couple more becoming than any he had encountered
Her hair was so fair shaded
Her eyes so bright
And her smile so widely genuine
That he was brought to tears
I watched him weep and become aware
As he realized he had never seen her smile
Like that in his lifetime