you don't exist when
my eyes are open
you don't exist when
my blood's not poisoned
when my soul's at peace
when my gut is full
and when I'm in company

So you exist most of the time
dear muse

Her rib cage splayed
and knees felled away
from each other,
she lay as a refuge,
an invitation:

Climb in, stretch my skin
over yours—
it's warm and dark inside,
you need not come out
until you are ready.

my words may always sound pretty
but sometimes i'm afraid they're only hollow

and so it seems
the lingering affects
consume and suffocate she
ever so quietly

taken into the stars
where even they are lonely
at least it's better
than crying here

the girl who
is thrown around by
her emotions, a state
of broken pieces

gravity unknown
eyes closing
the stars
comfort her endlessly