i cannot continue
to empty out
an already empty water jug

curled in the frosted grass
my skin is sliced
by a tiny sword
leaving this rash
of dots
all over my hands

hot air
and extreme defiance
has been coursing through my veins

i wish i looked as sick
as i feel inside
because then i could subsist on
giggles and green tea
and perhaps
blood transfusions
and
saline
and
exhaustion

peculiar creature
digs in the rocky earth
with a twig
meant as kindling

peculiar creature
is content
dwelling alone

like Pluto
once recognized
soon dismissed

i wish this
tea was spiked
with more honey
or more hope
or more self worth

i never understood the appeal
of flowers

or why
they needed to be given
in bouquets

peculiar creature
lights a candle
and prays
to nobody

peculiar creature
feels nothing
but
peculiar

oh dear
who
will
stop
him
now?

i want
to fix your broken
heart

i want
to touch your
soul

i want
to love (all of)
you

your hands are made of rain.

they are made of
ice
and
clouds
and
sunshine.

your spine is
the bend of a
meandering river.

i can trace the mountains
of your shoulders.

your hair,
the leaves on the trees.

your soul
lies in the dirt beneath my feet
and in the blueness of the sky.

but your eyes
are coal
supplying the
brightest
fire.

they could burn the whole place down.

they wouldn't even have to try.

you could burn it all down.

you want to burn it all down.

don't burn it down.

there's so much of you left to explore,
so much magic
that even you haven't seen.

don't burn it down.

i can see the magic
in the river stones
of your smile.

don't burn it down.
we have enough lies
and travesties of promises.

be the one beauty left
in this vile world.