the faces that i carry through the day
i can feel them sitting on top of my skin

like a wax figure,
my empty bravado

it carries me

at night
pain drips
into rage
and i lay awake

sinking into a pit of
dreams,
nightmares
memories

i want you to
hold my soul

writhing in your palm
like a newborn
screaming

beat, burn, hurt me

until i feel tears wet and hot

and my soul is quiet