I caught the deep inky blue of it
in bottles
labeled 'pleasing'
and set them on a shelf
next to bowls full of tears
and baskets full of unwanted memories.
It was cold
aching like limbs in the winter
sip it,
let the ice unfurl,
bitter on your tongue,
grief catching
in your throat
before settling into the pit
of your stomach,
like a swallowed apple seed.
one day the winds came
knocking all of the bottles down
and all around in the broken air,
ruptured by the fragmented glass,
screams - starved and rising
screams shattering bone
screams - ringing
wild and ragged
at last.

I have always love
the flame that you make—
a warmth that hums against my skin,

soft as whispered smoke,
kind enough
to forget it could burn.

The same kind you wield
around so desperately
toward those frozen far too long to thaw.

They were already
too deep in cold to ever feel
the love you were told

was not enough—by the people
who wore the skin of
the new generations of love.

I wanted to touch you,
but I cannot let you light so long.
not before—you turn into ashes.  

I wanted to light my own bones
and radiate the same kindness
you burn so bright

and glow the same
pinkish red of love
too tender for everyone else but you.

On a cold November evening, she met herself
Her reflection was shivering; confident,
Her lips cold; her smile warm
On a cold November evening, she saw herself

Her eyes sparkled with humor in time with the gentle dance of the snow,
Each snowflake a waltz reflecting her mood
And she asked herself, how did you get here, me?
How did you escape your cage?

And she answered, oh darling, I never did.
The cage simply outgrew me, and the iron bars scraped my arms
I hurt myself no longer, but I still hurt
And yet it was all worth it, to see that look in your eyes

On a cold November evening, she walked away
Those iron bars so far from her hopeful face -
A cage so big she didn’t understand how she could ever leave
And yet the phantom pain on her arms was a promise
That this wasn’t forever.

I want to escape,
To leave this cloudy place,
Where the rain freezes over,
Leaving a layer of ice,
Wrapped tight around our hands.

I want to leave,
Will you come with me?
The north is bitter,
Rich men plaster their homes with soulless things,
Leaving the poor man's mouth frothing.

I am leaving this place,
Please come with me,
The trail is cold,
Your embrace is warm.
If you say no,
I will stay.

I open my curtains to the world outside.
Leaves trembling in the frigid air.
As they drop, to the earth, by-and-by,
Narnia’s Ice Queen’s power does declare:
Time for hidden places where I can etch new traces.

I remind myself: everything has its time and place
Even loss to make way for more.
Opening my wardrobe, warm winter jackets I embrace,
Grateful for their voluminous puffs protecting my core.
A new season evokes new faces.

Who will I become
In the ticking time,
Leaving behind all that is unwelcome;
My limiting beliefs and the voice of compunction,
So I can reset homeostasis.

dressed you for the rain
now this snow pelting pain
aww kid ! bad forecast

Free inside the room allowed to lock
However such pleasures bring traps
Becoming isolated and forgetful
Not in the sense of the small things
Rather going shopping and forgetting the list
-
Had to make do with memory
Remembering the vegetables was easy
The miscellaneous items were fruitless
Just had to eyeball the aisles  
Keep my head down in case spotted by someone familiarly unpleasant  
-
A pretty girl from school worked at the shop
Wanted to see if she was still as beautiful
However that made me nervous
Why couldn’t everything be like the vegetables?
Made my way to checkout
-
Headed home with heavy bags
Trying to be careful as to not crush anything
Which reminded me with a pang
Forgot to buy the ****** eggs!
Mood soured as that was my breakfast
Too late to head back that would be embarrassing
What if the girl saw me and made for an entirely avoidable kerfuffle
-
Now awkwardly thinking what to have for breakfast
Arrived just outside my doorstep
The next door neighbour to the left was just leaving
How unfortunate and horrific
We asked each other how we were and conversely felt quite pleasant
Vented about my eggs fiasco which was met with love
My neighbour went inside and bought out a chicken