I need to learn to fold early,
          Learn to hold on to the few chips
I have left

It’s not worth the gamble
or the game

Hello shapeshifter
Master of disguise
Dazzle me with charm
And a sparkle in your eye

Say you will catch me
And I’ll take the jump and leap
Let me bet it all
On a promise you can’t keep

Shower me with praise
Plant sweet nothings in my ear
Soak up your reflection
I am nothing but a mirror

Starve for the attention
And feed on my supply
Take all I have to offer
Before the well runs dry

I’ll be captive and accomplice
A crutch on which you lean
Not the embers nor the ash
But somewhere in between

And whenever hunger hits me
Feed me sour lies
Rotten and moldy
And festering with flies

I’ll soon grow sick and tired
But don’t let me get away
Use the bag of tricks you hold
Every player, every play

Please beg me not to go
And promise me you’ll change
So again I’ll sacrifice myself
At the altar of your rage

You never say “I’m sorry”
Without me having to ask
And when you finally say the words
The sounds are flat
And the letters that crawl out of your mouth
Fall to the floor and spell

I N D I F F E R E N C E

There are pages of you that have been ripped out

And all that remains are the jagged edges that trace your spine

Put a flower in my hair
And kiss my heavy eyes

Climb the ladder of my ribcage
And take a look inside

Trace the bones in my back
And fill the spaces in between

Let me show you places
Others have never seen

Go quietly, be gentle
And I’ll give you a full tour

Hang your hat and coat
And take your shoes off at the door

Shut your eyes as you exhale
And step inside my dream

Let me show you places
Others have never seen

Hide in the hollow of my hand
And read between the lines

Peel back all my layers
And ******* salty brine

Come to me with thirst
And I’ll be your canteen

Let me show you places
Others have never seen

I can't tell if
     I'm falling apart

Or falling together

These seams seemed
     So much stronger

This time last year

I was quite comfortable
In my quietness
Until you pointed it out
Emphasized the absence
Of my words
Like the way
You moan and groan
About how much air
And empty space
Fill the bag of your favorite candy