I never meant to shake the shrub
the blood shot blue eyes pierced through.

My caved in chest throbbed as I inched closer
toward the glaring light surrounded by darkness.

Gently offering my hand in warmth,
I received a boiling snarl and a coarse, furrowed brow.

We were never good for each other
No matter how hard I tried.

Though there was once life and love,
a lively substance must wilt after days of abuse.

Forcing someone to be rooted in soil
that rejected its soul and growth
on either end.

The outside seems harmless
as the inside rots with every memory created.

We face off in the forest among the blue flowers
you'd pick for me before the storm
ripped them from safety.

Full of words and tones that could melt skin at the touch,
we prepare for war as I stand across from your six foot, dark shadow with glowing eyes of God's welcoming lights.

'Til we settle in our place and time stands still
Remembering the nights we'd hold each other in peace.

Though we budge with bottled anger and regret, it spoke from its blackened figure.
"I'll always be here if you need me," it muttered with a painful confession of hope and compassion as he aggressively turned away.

Some day I hope we won't be fueled
by fire and coal with every interaction.

My chest remained hollow as he migrated North.