Explain
                                            To
                                        
                                            Me
h
    o
        w

I can be


F       a      L    L  i     Ng             aP            A                  r              t          

AND BE SO numb

I am

W
h
o
l
e
A
n
d
E
m
p
t
y

all
at
once

sticking to my guns,
i never realized that
they’re pointing at me.

I am scarred.
Can you see?

I am weeping.
Can you hear?

I am hurting
Can you feel it?

I am sorry
Can you forgive me?

I am not
okay
Can you tell?

I am
                   dying
Can you help me?

I am asking nicely
Please?

the knight
stands at the ready
Helmet down
sword up

ready to give it his all for those behind him

the white flag long gone
soaked with blood

back leg — staggering
roses dying by the side

and he stays there

never moving

the knight stands at the ready
never breaking

even when it’s only himself to save.