they say, she was locked up
in that tower of hers
forever alone
with only the sea for a companion

they say she was seen on occasion
pacing the rocks
never looking behind her
or back at the town

they say she’d stand in silence
staring out at the midnight sea
always at the same spot on the horizon
listening to the crash of the waves
they say it was all she had.

i know you think of me
when you make a bad joke
and you hear my groan
my chuckle
quiet
in the back of your head
so quiet
did you even hear it?
you tell yourself it was real,
that you really heard it,
but we both know
that's a lie.
don't we?

winterteeth

like the hail coming down from the heavens

winterteeth

like the dread when the fire goes out

winterteeth

like the sun going down before seven

winterteeth

like the pain you could not go without.