on october 12th, you kissed me 

for the first time without your veins being consumed by alcohol,

and i went home and brushed my

teeth six times 

and i drank mouthwash like it was 
water. 

i didn’t want you indented into my jaw like broken glass 

i didn’t want my mouth to burn every time i heard your favourite song

i chewed gum for weeks

and i still felt my veins tear

themselves open when i saw you

kiss her