Once I saw an x-ray of a heart and I was alarmed by its smallness, its translucence.
A thing we ask entirely too much of.

I'll burst into a slow bloom
from
the tongues & flickers
of
fire
itself.

For I have cut through spidery wisps of white lies.
We have both lived through pin-****** of pain
and
see, I told you there would be smudges of sunshine again.

A stomach full of disappointment.

Price: Lips stiched by all words I wished to say.
*Discount: If you have the kind of bitterness found in burnt toast.

(Thank you)
For giving people the strange,
seemingly entitled right to hurt me.
Truth is, the difference between you and I is that:
Yes, I hurt you.
At least I can be the only one to blame.
And it is only me that can stitch sorry
into wounds if needed.
But you let them say all the ***** words for my ears.
And that's the one of the saddest realizations.
You let them, with ease & sweet sympathy.

Didn't you know I kept a few smiles in my pockets?
Lined against tissues with lipstick prints on them.