Allow me to be naked around you,
Adjust to the sudden change in atmosphere,
If you will.

Grasp at fleeting understanding,
Until it leaves your consciousness forever.

The chase, that chase for understanding.
That urge, the traces of that hurt.
Turned me into a *****.

Don’t misconceive my nakedness for desperation.
I am this,
Transparent, clear-minded.
Take me as you will.
Or leave me as you may.
I am still right here.

there are so many of you
that i would love to sit down with;
maybe over a milkshake and a plate of fries;
and just talk.
i want to ask you about the boy that hurt you,
about the anger you feel deep inside
over a father who said he’d come back...
and then didn’t.
i want to run with you through pages of words and say
“oh that’s right, what a lovely metaphor.”
i want to see all your smiling faces and
thank each and every one of you for showing me kindness,
for saving my life.
i want to collaborate on novels of poetry
and laugh with you through the tears of our pasts.
so until we sip those milkshakes and eat those fries...
thank you, to
some of the most beautiful people i have never met.