I guess poetry
is like
that at times

whether or
not
we try for
rhymes

when she's quiet
decides to snub

do we go after
her
with a club

do we do
that
to our muse

is there such
a thing
as muse abuse

guilty here
sometimes

but is that
really
such a crime

cough it up
I know
it's there

it's there
somewhere

do not be
stubborn

come on
now

you know
you
know how

and I did not
stutter

out comes
the club
a threat

I'll get something
out of you
yet

but

nothing
               nada
                       zilch
                                 0

We're almost touching.
we were walking side by side,
you're talking about cabs in your hometown.
I can feel the gravity of your hand, calling my fingers
whispering "it's alright."

We're touching but not quite.
you held my shoulder to protect me from the passing cars.
and for the first time in a long while, I felt so fragile.
In this world where I find it hard even to breathe,
you believed me.

I almost said it.
All I need is one ounce of strength to tell you every single thing that I have ever felt about you.

I want to find home in your collarbones.
Would you be kind enough to let a stranger in?
I want to seep in your being because I'm cold.
The world is harsh and my cracks are aching.

Almost.