an enchanting boy
with sunflowers for eyes
came riding in from nowhere.
running from a plague
with pretty words
and
hungry hands

should have
predicted
her mistake
but who could blame such
a broken girl
masked in shame
meeting
such a humble gaze

time ceased to move
frozen and sunken
in soft skin
shielding
a strong mind
paired
with heavy thoughts
that lacked
emotion.

her heart was caught
ablaze
thoughts of love
caressed her face
made her quake, numb in the legs
should have listened
to the warnings
but the heat removed the stains
melted
the shattered pieces
she mistook her loss
for gain

stuck in a game
labeled with such a lovely name
she thought perhaps if she could forget,
it would somehow remove the pain