Some expressions are complex—
ingenious work of eyes and lips.
Can you guess the one
that has been with me forever?

It shifts and bends, serves many ends—
at times it lingers for a bit
before it flees,
but it always comes unbidden.

It shields me when I'm caught off guard,
deceives those who seek my tears.
It does so much and asks so little,
but above all—it contradicts.

I live my life with a flaming heart—
a condition not of body
but of mind.

It wants to spread its fire
to every curve and every curl
I desire.

I wanted to catch the air
and pet the stray on the street.
To cage a bird who wants
nothing but freedom.

What did I learn?

Air will leave the room you rush in,
cats don't trust hands,
and birds will only stay
as long as you feed them.

You finally got it.
The attention of those,
who never deserved yours.

It only cost you
a piece of your soul,
a shard of your heart,
and your nose.

Now the ones,
who will need you the most
will always wonder
if they belong
and if maybe
they should get one just like yours.

I think I'm cooked,
I feel the ache I longed for.
I'm restless, but I think
I got what I wanted.

I keep checking
and I keep thinking
about you and how you
might be thinking about me.

I don't think there's a future.
I don't think this will be
anything but the ache.
But I guess I never wanted more.