I see the lights
Blurry like cotton ***** on the inky water

The people on the bridge,
Bright like lightning bugs
Following each other like ants
Searching for food.

Are you out there, somewhere,
Searching for me?

We are the
       Awoken ones
       Our muse we hope to stumble on  
Lit only by
        Star-and-streetlight
        Somewhere between the dusk and dawn.

|b.g.|

on your own terms
in your own way
you left me
and you walked away
I'm broken for now
changed forever
I want to forget
and never remember
your moan in my ear
you hands on my hips
your body against mine
and your lips on my lips
the way you were with me
was special and true
or so I thought
I thought I knew you

Look up.
Do you see the way the light streams
through the hole in the forest,
illuminating the single red leaf,
the tiny blade of grass
almost yellow with winter,
but kept in autumn by the orange giant
hovering above it?
Look up.
Do you see the way the sky’s blue
fades away like a petal left on my windowsill
into yellow on the outer edges
like a piece of old notebook paper?
Look up.
Do you see me staring at you,
longing for your gaze,
screaming for your eyes,
or does it only come out a whisper-
just a trace of autumn on the cool summer breeze?

The smell of the woody fire drifting through the air
and the sharp tint of the grass
reverberate the crunchy leaves I am stepping on,
mixing with the memory of
your crisp shirt,
your soap smell,
your hair on my ear
and my hand on your arm
holding onto you like it’s the first time,
like this is the only time I’ll get to
because it very well may be.

She runs in choking,
holding in her tears, plugging
her eyes with her sleeve
so the waterfall won’t cascade down her cheeks
and ruin her makeup.

Is she alone?
She checks the stalls for feet-
a sigh of relief,
so she doesn’t have to pretend
to be washing her hands as her heart breaks.

She grabs at the sink,
supporting her weight as she
tries not to fall down.
A sturdy hand
to make her feel less alone.

Looking in the mirror-
Why? Why me? Why now?
She watches the tears spill down her
cheeks, red with emotion.
Fiery, like her mother’s eyes.

Letting out a sob- just one-
just to pacify
her aching heart, her
stinging skin. She stares at her
reflection-tired.

Imagining them all looking at her,
imagining him looking at her.
So tired of everyone looking at her.
She’s so tired.
Her face hardens with her heart-

A splash of water-
so much for the makeup-
a slap of the face,
a shaking breath as she leaves
the bathroom.