i remember nights of running through the grass
catching the moths that fluttered around the dim street lights
blowing dandelion fluff into the dark sky

the sound of bare feet on endless black rivers of asphalt
the hum of late night drivers on the highway just a few fences over
hushed laughter echoing back from the empty night

i remember when we were kids
when math was easy and our hearts were free
unburdened by love or lust

i remember being cheerful and sad
but never both at once, i remember being simple
when everyone said what they meant

when i went on cute little dates with pretty girls
hold her hand and buy her a soda, going nowhere, but having fun
drop her off under the porch light and kiss her cheek

i remember sleepovers and secrets
whispers through the dark, when friends were just friends
when joining the circus was just a dream

before addictions and *** and heartbreak
i remember the humble, effortless, quiet nights
saying goodnight on good nights

I sip away my sorrows
by drowning them in the heat of my tea
and pay better attention to the nice warm feeling of it sinking to the bottom of my stomach
rather than think about the stranger that wouldn't look away

Don't fall in love
with the life that you live.
Sit idly by and stare.
Let the static ferment.
While your ironclad wall stands tall.
Mark the days down in chalk
until the the lead burnt dust
makes acquaintance with your chin.