something forgotten
is blooming on the trees
little wishes hanging
from the ends of
spindling digits
kisses of color
adorning
brooding skies
praying not
for eternity
but
an absolute
existence

formless joy radiating off in
waves
amplified by

smile lines
and
crows feet

it emanates
and embraces
those with

sunken eyes
and
hollow cheeks

night's
eternal sorrow
does not
ensnare stars
but
entrances beings
who
desperately desire
to taste the lips
of mortal liars
who pray to their gods—
for a night eternal

the breeze makes a home
in my lungs
it
breathes for me
quietly
deliberately
fans and feeds
the tips and tails of
flame
between my lungs
a wildfire begging to be put out—
it
roars
anyway

i inhale

empathy is
sitting down to eat
and pondering the
morality
of the god
who lets horrible things
happen
to people you'll never
meet

i sent a leaf
down the river
it was easier than
folding paper boats
and
swimming
upstream

i watched it leave
down the river
it said goodbye
father rock
mother tree
and
cascaded
downstream

“It’s there.”

“It’s where?”

“It’s there.”

She’s pointing at my
hair.

“What’s there?”

“Your fear, it’s
hiding behind
your hair.”

“I do not fear.”

“Yes, you lie.”

“I do not lie.”

“It's there, hidden
behind
your eyes.”

Set the doll
aside?