silence holds a mirror to my face.

they are my emotions
and should do as they are told

they swing
metal pendulum
extreme to extreme
and back again

no thank you,
i don't need any midol

sometimes I think
I am only capable
of melancholy thoughts

but then I remember
that in my garden

there are purple flowers growing.

slow down

take a minute to hear
my breaths against your chest
and listen for their quickening

slow down

learn how to read my faces
and watch for their souring

slow down

think about your words
before you spit them at me

slow down

remember the way I looked at you
and think about why
I do not look at you any more