the red glow of her cigarette.
the fingers of her left hand
yellow  with nicotine
clutching dying flowers

"buy a rose for your lover," she says,
"buy one for your wife. buy 2."

"the flowers are wilted."

"maybe it's your eyes that are wilted.

she had black hair
black as the night
the violent night
and gray eyes
the shade of ***** ice

"you must love
someone,
some of the time, no?
put a rose on
your father s grave, then."

"love is like lost pennies
falling from a broken jar."

she smooths her hair with one pale,
long, fingered hand, "you re crazy."

"my mom says so."

i was born to
have adventure

I followed her up the steps.

i was born to chase the night
through the forest
of dead roses.

A sad flower sits
Wilted from the winded years
She lay below

Talented
Red
Ruby

Waiting for farmer to tell her to grow.

Does flower not know
The sun is already there?

Sweetness extends her chest
So Rare. She forgets.

Bees tanker
Raindrops gloat

Flower refuses to bloom.

Seasons pass by weary
Flower wilting just as soon

She had that
octopus smile,
always reaching for
something.
I was her small
fish; her handmaid.
I lived in her nebulous
world for far too long.
Inky confusion...

There's a reason for
your treason, said the
old man to the shark,
but Hem forgot, a beast
is a beast, they do
beastly things.
We all have to eat.

I'm done being the
meal.
It's your Ocean,
I'm just trying to
swim in it.

You're an oyster,
and I want your
pearl,
but I won't drown
for it.

we do not write poetry
we write mirrors
which are held up
to curious faces
who read
looking for their
own reflections

I wonder if I really am kind hearted.
Most people think it’s true,
But maybe I’m just afraid of being mean-
Maybe I’m afraid of being you.

If jewels could speak
They would speak your name
As
The criminal who stole their craft

Nightmares dream of you
Perfect candidate
Sweet blooded
Through and through

Your name is a fairytale
How much horror do you hold.

Your prince bangs at the door
Let him
Let his brash knuckles bleed dry

I could smell a song
Written for you
Each note would sigh
Of red Rubys