each word that stings
is carved into skin
the termites
gnawing your bones
make new friends:

horror
and fear

of being
human has-beens
who hide behind
glass eyes
sliced skin
like
humanesque
empty tins

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

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