you accept compliments for the sake of courtesy
throw them in the trash when they leave
like a plate filled with food, face down because you
dont want to feel rude
you take the insults and
hold them close to your heart
embrace the liquid pain that comes from their cores
and infects your veins with poison
hurt flows through your body, desperation escaping in the form of
tear-blurred eyes and bitten nails scratching at scarred wrists
until you look over at the trash can
i urge you,
draw out a crumpled compliment
for despite being worn
it is no less genuine

you always said that you love the chase
and, my darling, i'm no good at running

Every birthday
I would wish you'd get better
only to be sitting here today
in front of my black forest cake
knowing it was time
to wish for you to die

It is said 
we need protected.
A righteous (wo)man will do.
Across the sea comes fury 
from them.

It is said 
they need protected.
A righteous (wo)man will do. 
Across the sea comes fury 
from us.

All our eyes wide and waxed with water,
clutching love close and caged
while righteous men and women laugh above our heads.
Counting coins. 
Contriving dread.

These are (wo)men of fear.

each day goes by
and nothing changes
we’re holding on to
something that isn’t there

When a cat
Splats
Flat on your lap

(That black cat
That first heard “****!"
But came right back)

With no care in the world
Dives deep into cat nap
On your lap

Pray a poem of thanks:
This stretching feline
Trusts you