Apologies. Written on the crosstown bus in about 3 herky~jerky minutes, between 7th Ave., and Lexington Ave.

Inspired by Ms. Paxton's,

you split me in two
half of me begs you to stay away
and avoid our fire,
while the other half bathes in the light of
a dangerous flame;

half of me builds barricades around my memories
while the other half records every inch
of us, in detail;

half of me is lost in the complexity of your mind
while the other is screaming
for me to get out;

half of me wants you to cradle my face in your hands
like you did last summer, but this time
give in and kiss me,
and the other half is terrified that
that is what will do me in,

that is what will ******* alive
and that is what will **** me.