she hates me.
she doesn't know me.
she took him away.

her eyes are brown but they're tinted green with the scales of the monster that lurks beneath.

her fingernails are short but they grow sharp into claws and take him away from me because of the green monster that lurks in her fingertips.

her words are sweet but they cut me with the teeth of the green scaled monster that inhabits her tongue.

and he lets her.
and he lets her.
and he lets her.

He tells his daughters all about you
My nieces, they're three and five
They call you Grandma
They know your name
and where you lived
Things you used to say
They've seen your photos
and they know you were sick
and you didn't get better

Last year he planted primroses
because he knew they were your favourites
They have their own house now
with enough room for five
The little one was born in August
A boy to play in that garden
where the flowers will bloom
every Spring, the season you loved
and which was your last

When that child is older
his sisters will teach him
The answer to Daddy's question:
What were Grandma's favourite flowers?
And Auntie will hold her tongue
and never correct him
that it was bluebells

Ok, breath
She's averted her eyes

It seems like it's been ages as we've been casting glances across the table
Yet as soon as my eye catches on your gaze
It still steals my breath away
Just as it did the first time
I was stunned by the sight of you
It is like a war
One that I would gladly lose
So I start to cross the room
To wave the white flag
And admit defeat
For I have been taken captive
By the hands which I now hold in mine
I gladly drop my guard
Left with only the thought of how pleasant it is to lose to you

Conspicuous Consumption
Look at all I have
I've got money burning
In this power grab
Between the haves and have nots
I'm one of the haves
Enjoying this life of luxury
Sitting in its lap

Conspicuous Consumption
Take a breath and breath in deep
Take as many as you want
Although this stuff ain't cheap
Money is no object
It means nothing to me
Now that you ask, yes Virginia
Money does grow on trees

Conspicuous Consumption
In this world of give and take
If it's no longer suitable
It becomes throw away
Even if you tire of it
No need for it to break
Conspicuous Consumption
The phrase of the day

A quiet fury
blossoms in my chest,
an orchid of rage
unfolds in silence,
poisonous and strangely beautiful,
creamy petals strain against
the cavity where I once
kept my heart.

i'm sorry for being this
inconsequential
interruption
in your life.

When you touch,
It is withholding.
When you moan,
It is suffering.
When you smile,
It is mercy.
When you laugh,
I am placated.
When you swoon,
I am not there.
When you vibrate,
I only witness.
When you taste,
I only imagine.
When you love,
I am unknown.