She tied a black ribbon around my wrist
Like a dark lake reflecting moonlight
And in my enchantment, I missed
The ribbon was tied far too tight

She tied a black ribbon around my neck
So cold on my skin like ice
And in my fervor, I failed to see
The ribbon was knotted up thrice

She tied a black ribbon around my heart
Winding its way through my veins
She gave a tug, and I gave a start
As her ribbon turned out to be chains

Your arms grow tired
When you
Bear a heavy axe

With hard hammers and soft glibness
They approached the forest,
It's encroaching majesty looming,
threatening to overwhelm

Sharp tools were used to trim,
To tear and rend through supple vine,
Felling great trees
As flames engulfed the underbrush

Each man and woman smiled,
exchanging thoughtful pleasantry,
Hi-fives and good-hearted jokes;
Completion of a hard days task

They returned the next day,
Trucks full of building materials,
Tools in rough calloused hands
Only to find the forest renewed

The forest had returned
With a mighty vengeance,
Unapologetic at it's thicker growth,
Looming over the workers

Greater tools of destruction were wielded
Attacking the forest,
Until barely a stem or stump stood
And cries of shared victory echoes

Yet the following day
The forest stood again, in quiet majesty,
Man and woman will never learn;
No matter the tinkering
We are not the masters of nature
But mastered by it

Every wall I make, you tear down
Every wish I have, you deny it
You devalue every effort made
And highlight my mistakes
No matter how many times I hold out my hand
You always feel the urge to bite it
And I'll never understand why you are
Compelled to attack me

No sweeter treat
Than knowledge you're among
A true community

Black blood
Pools on a white marble floor
Naked blade
Lying menacingly
Stares at you accusingly
They were there one minute
Gone the next
Slipping through your fingers
Still vermillion shades
Staining fingertips
As you shiver
Shiver so cold
Wishing a thousand wishes
For a friend and truest kindness
To wash you clean
To see your mistakes
And still, see you
Black blood
Pooling between ivory toes
The greatest error of your life
And no one
Is left
To help you clean it up