It wasn’t until
I realized how wilted my petals were
That I accepted the warmth
Of the sun

I try to create an illusion of freedom
just for you

I know it’s not enough
and it’s not fair
but neither am I

So when you perch on my shoulder
tickle my ears with your blue feathers
tweet sweet nothings

I know

I know you hate me

and it’s not enough
and it’s not fair

but neither am I

Smoke coats the bottom of my lungs
to the walls of my throat
to the ceiling of my mind
clouding my resolve

But the heat of the ashes
is the only warmth between my fingers
since your hand left mine

By midnight
the TV screens buzz in unison
black and white specks
crash together
in a fight of dominance

I can’t keep up
my eyes water

It’s too much

I raise the remote
and shatter their dance

Oh no,
Darling mine

Did you think
I’d lay myself bear
pull my ribs apart
present my beating heart
red and warm
upon your return

Oh no,
darling mine

I won't smother you in
butterfly kisses
or
empty endearments
like you once poured
upon my skin
like molten lead

Because now I’m dry
rock hard, stone cold
pure and smooth
in your forgotten love
that’ll I’ll never crack
for you
darling mine

Jessica

What’s in a name

Oh what’s in a name

Teeth ache’n sweet  

Oh so sweet

Pure as ****** skin

Oh so pure

They won’t know

Oh no they won’t know

what you’ve done

Oh what have you done?

Pure, sweet girl

Hand me the gun

Oh no they won’t know

Eyes as icy as my heart

Jagged sickles that slice into the pupil

So sharp and defined

They chip away at my barrier

And make me feel whole

Open me up
Rip out my stuffing
Scatter my entrails along the floor
Hide in my thin skin

Seek refuge
I’ll protect you

If you break us
our jagged edges will cut
and sink into your skin
like shards of righteousness

But abide by us
we’ll protect you
hold you in our arms
lay warm hands along your neck
and squeeze

When the moon takes cloak
in an orange robe

I rise up from the ashes
Paint my claws
and sharpen my teeth

When the moon takes cloak
I’ll begin my hunt

one night a year
our inner monsters come out
Undo their masks
walk freely in their fresh skin
reveal sharp teeth
and cracked talons

But as soon as daylight breaks
the sun consumes the sky
our monsters
retreat
into their cages
and wait

A hurricane stumbles through a trailer park
and devours every plastic door
and screen window
it can touch

But the hurricane dies
in its gluttony

Then,
the sun rises
and reveals
what the night could not

Blue eyes
perfect smiles
and dimples

it’s all a trick of the eye
in the light
it shines

But night takes over
and what the eye hides
is revealed

Sometimes
I’m disgusted by my own thoughts
of my own depraved mind

But I can’t help it
desire burns through my veins
and rips apart my soul


hot, heavy, and dark
it consumes my thoughts
until there’s nothing left

Trembling under the sheets
eyes tightly shut, salty cheeks

A little boy hugs his quaking stomach
protecting himself from shiny eyes

Through the covers
A bony hand smooths down the sheets
around his head

He screams
But it’s too late

Eyes heavy, bleary
brain shaky and
hands slow

neon green numbers
illuminate the room

fingers grind into a keyboard
but the blank screen
is all that stares back

Blood cools against warm skin
Swords rise and clash down again
with the weight of a young man’s malice

Sour, hot breathes yell
In the face opposition

Face’s ***** and wet
Eye’s burning
And flies dropping in droves

The trees are burned alive
In the final fight for life

Leaves ignite in passion
And wither away
into dull browns

The ugly carcasses
drop to the cold ground
Trampled
And raked away

Tumble backwards
Trip on air
Bump an elbow
Bruise a hip

Clumsiness paints my body black and blue
Sick yellows curl around burst vessels
like constellations
against my midnight

I’d cover them
but why
hide the universe