I'm afraid of heights, but if you were on the balcony of a 60 story building ready to jump at 3am, I'd sit with you until the sun set again listening to your life story.
I'm afraid of sharp objects, they make me think of my past, but if you held a blade to your skin, crying in the shower,  I'd barge in and hold you until the water got cold, soaking into my clothes.
I avoid dark alleys and walks at night, but if I woke up without you next to me,  I'd wander the city looking for the trail that would lead you home.
Depression isn't new to me, I'm familiar with how distorted reality gets and how hard it is to hold on. I'll tie a rope from my heart to yours, so one of us is always there to pull the other back.

just a leaf left
on the pillow next to me
now, a whisper of smoke
vapor tracing your path

out the door
going back to the
limb I stole you from,
the place you must return

I rake my bed for more,
try to make
a place
for you to fall

again, next time.

I only wear my red lipstick
when im feeling sinister,
when im feeling poisonous.
I only wear my red lipstick
when im on the prowl,
searching for my prey,
ready to pounce.
I only wear my red lipstick
when im loving you,
when I feel close to you,
when I feel close to you,
almost melting.

I only wear my red lipstick
for you.

Waking breath ghostly frozen, clang of ***-belly stove opening, cedar crackles good morning, sap sizzles, pops, melting.  Warmth finds children sleeping, humid air, mouth-breathing.  Smell of boy sweat and feet, young women ripely sweet.  

Cats purring, stirring, padding quiet down stairs, weave meowing through mom's legs.  Dented percolator burbles better days, snap of toast burned haze, molten mush bubbles burst, fade.  Birds early on the highway Paradise-seeking, time, flash-burned, fleeting. Cobalt jay mockingly complains, chickadee sings his own name, coyote wails, thin and plain.  

Children rise, sleep in their eyes, squabble over bathroom prize, eldest wins, click, locks herself in.  Hurry, hurry the bus is coming, ancient driver, annoyed and honking.  Brown-bag lunches crinkled running, feet slapping, seats squeaking, lungs hot and bursting.  Ride the dawn breaking, hearts aching for more than this, rural bliss.

Stop sign flashes caution, young lovers in the back seat, bodies in motion.  Stop, start, sway on down the highway. Engine mimics hot blood lust, accelerated diesel rush, nothing can stop us. You grab my knee - young, carefree.  Brakes sigh and hiss, sneak one last kiss. You mouth - meet me later, we'll sneak out, rush to a future we haven't got, ready or not.  

The old road at dusk, frog song accompanies us, bike wheels on the asphalt hum, forbidden moonlight run.  Feel your heartbeat on my spine, frantic drumming matching mine. Horned owl hoots, forlorn and bleak, a premonition we refuse to heed, reckless with need. In the clearing young love begins, forget-me-knots on burning skin.

I should publish a book, just so people can buy it and never read a single word
They can put it on their living room tables, and point it out when company comes over
"I read poetry, go open that book if you don't believe me" they'll say, and amazingly, when the book is opened, someone will know that their host is lying
Because if a person reads poetry, they would never buy my book

Walk away, from shadow to light,
Past the litter of old lives.
Walk, along water channels,
Over stones already water smoothed,
Satisfying in their solidity,
Soothing to the soles,
Feet-pleasing.

Walk away, from anger to air.
Past engines that fuel their own end.
Walk along ridges, rivulets,
Over mounts, chasms, peaks, troughs,
Choosing not to fall,
Listening to silence,
Far laughter.

Walk away,  just walk away,
Let go of fears repressed, petrified.
Start hard, mean it step...
Out over emotion wasted, tired lies.
Start another way
Each time leaving,
Come back new.