you thought it all was real
like we were,
didn't you?
now the world's a bad trip—
like a page from your
sick hero's handbook,
without the lie—
and no connection.
you thought it all was real.
what's worse is i did too.

Of your flowery features,
I am student and teacher.
I am learning to love you
like deep-breathing ether.

You pick me a peony
and cite similarities—
colors and frills,
and pretty, apparently.
You tell me,
regarding
its duo
of shades,
what tempted your fingers
and called out my name:

The lighter of petals,
the curl
of your lip.
The dark, all your freckles
and dots.
I have fallen
in love
with your features
just like those
of flowers—
Please forget
me not.

We convince ourselves
it isn't sadness
for a long, long time.

and it is an easy mistake.


It is also okay.
The first time you see it
just under your skin
To really see
and to feel it,
you are healing.

Kiss your own hand
Hold it against your own face
Back of hand to forehead
Palm to full of cheek
And breathe so deep
It cracks your spine
From the years of
progressively
shallower
breathing
Protecting our idea
your and my idea
of perfect form
(Full-chested,
waistless)
No
Place your hands on your tummy
beautiful ripe belly
and breathe into yourself
man woman
human
Connect to you,
(us it I we now)

You will find that substance
sustenance
solace
life,
that blossom
unfurling
nature
of your nature
in your touch

The glimpse of reason,
I have seen it.
It is the fundamental trust.

the angel on my shoulder
picked up smoking,
the devil on the other
took up yoga—

they don't know
how much they have
in common.

i am suffering from a crush we agreed upon
stephen
my face is red but i wont call it blushing

i want to burn you a ****** cd
whats my problem
stephen stop smiling
stop smiling at me

you asked for my hand,
with a ring made of paper
and then i kept the paper
and then i wrote the date on the back of the paper

i asked you not to touch;
you did so lightly when i let you.
just before you left
after you made my parents laugh,
you had already met my brothers
and they like you,
like you plenty.
and i like you like you,
plenty

and you like me like me,
plenty

i am suffering.

Hello and welcome
to Too Trusting Anonymous!
(My name is Elice)