There are words
Sentences
Maybe paragraphs
That I wanted to scream
But I kept my mouth shut
And said ok
Because anything more
would mean tears

Let me take
Your sorrows
Your worries
Let me transform them into
Something comprehensible
Something magical
Let me ease
The pain
The anxiety
The hardship
Let me write poetry

Her mouth is a smile
But her eyes are empty
She says she’s fine
But her eyes plead
She has a brave face
But she looks away
The eyes can never deceive

Sometimes I would hold the hand that broke me, expecting it to be a barricade between me and a vehicle.

Sometimes I got so scared of the monsters under my bed,
but I didn't realize that I crawled into bed with one, expecting it to stop the nightmares it caused in the first place.

Sometimes it kissed my finger when I got a paper cut,
but never once did it cool the tobacco kissed burns on my arm.
Sometimes it whispered "I love you" with the same lips that screamed "You're worthless!"

I remember when I hated everything about it but I still craved it to stay.
I remember when it left, but its presence still breaks my bones and cuts my skin.

You held the paper
between you lips
and inhaled

I've never
Been so jealous
Of a cigarette

The stars are out there,
If you care to look for them.