echoes fall on my skin
like ripples of fear
a lonely gaze toward pattern
ignores the warmth behind my eyes
I trace the veins of my hand
rolling bones and tendons
a feeling of solace
the sound of my own breaking
under pressure I caused

a lilac touches the nape of my neck
soft and forgiving
a grace I do not grant myself
serenity found in chills
interrupting ripples
disturbing the disturbance

Anxiety.
It drops down the back of my neck
like water,
but not water.
It’s like water from the river Lethe.
It makes me forget
what I know to be true.
It makes me forget
the truths that I should know,
the truths that you tell me,
and the truths that are undeniable, still-

I am forced to drink
from the River Lethe.

I opened the door
Entered the classroom
Saw a beautiful girl at the window
Looking outside at the cherry blossoms

Her eyes were sparking
Her breath got heavier
And her smile was shining

My eyes met hers
Her sweet cheeks turned red
I just sank deep into her green eyes

I heard her heart beating
She put her hand on her chest
To hide her love for me

I took her hand
Pulled her to me
And kissed slowly her neck

She put her hand on my chest
Whispered slowly in my ear
Oh darling, put the handcuffs on me
And arrest me in your heart.

Her fingers wrapped themselves around my neck,
Her nails tried to burrow into my skin.
This is what I get for letting her in.
The taste of metal,
And salt,
And betrayal,
Fell off of my tongue.
I could feel a flame, a burning,
A crack in my lungs.
I fumbled to grasp her hand
and rip it away.
My struggles only caused her nails to cause hurt.
She grabbed hold of my words,
And gripped ******* my breath.
I know my own worth,
And this is what I get.

She isn't sadness nor anger,
but a mixture of the two.
She's darkness and
disgust laced with pain.
She's the shadow of you.