I have to stop falling in love with strangers,
The way their smile slides into view so slow,
When they call me beautiful in sign language and don’t realize I know.
When they leap past, dressed in all black,
Their own cryptic, creeping steps and clinging to the shadows- midnight at noon.
Scowls and imploring eyes and fists itching for my throat,
Teeth sinking into tongues and lips, grasping desperately for control.
Confused if it was their gasp or my own when the light catches just right,
Nervous laughter as they mention wives before a disappointed sigh.
Fantasy and fiction churning real beings into metallic dreams,
Magnetic storms at their energy,
a missed soul connection,
and Shadow Knights.

Throw an arm over my shoulder
Pull me close as we walk through the
     aisles
Slipping a hand into your back pocket
Lips curved in teasing smiles
Press a kiss to my hair
Profess your love in a whisper
Leave me with dignity at my door
Never realizing I have your wallet.

I penned your life,
sketched your face,
gave you breath,
and stole it away.

With the opening line
I knew where you ended.
I twisted your soul.
You believed you could fix it

I could feel your hair,
see the tears in your eyes,
taste your hope,
as I fed you with lies.

You're as real as a thought
and I am your God.
Am I so cruel
when I let you be loved?

Your fate is not so harsh.
I let you hold her hand,
but only through the veil
once I allowed death to descend