if you asked me,
“why do you do the things you do?”

i’d tell you,
“it’s just the way i am.”

although, this is not true.
i am the way i am because my soul is intertwined with yours.
my movements are a mirror, my voice is a copy.
my heart screams your name,
and my lungs breathe your air.

i was molded in your shadow,
and i am content with that.

so, perhaps, im a liar.
to everyone but you.

i drank to much coffee today and now my stomach hurts.
while yes, this is a trivial matter that could have been avoided on my behalf,
i couldn’t get enough of the warmth.
of the sweetness and bitterness woven together.

maybe there was another reason for drinking 3 cups of coffee in one sitting.
maybe the warmth reminded me of your arms.
maybe the complexities in flavors reminded me of your lips.

or maybe, i just really wanted coffee.
who knows.
either way, my stomach hurts.

i got you a present this year,
one i’m sure you won’t receive.

it will sit beneath the tree, wrapped up pretty with your name scribbled in your favorite brand of pen,
waiting.
it will wait until you’re ready.
until you’re able.

maybe it’ll wait until we forget eachother, and it will slowly fade away.

maybe it won’t wait much time at all.

but for now, it sits underneath falling pines,
untouched.

and tonight i’ll ache.
for no particular reason or amount of time.
i’ll stare at the tree, clad in the soft yellow glow of christmas lights, and i’ll ache.
i’ll ache for a time i was filled with childish wishes.
for a time i would wake up earlier than dawn to open up colorfully wrapped boxes and bags.
i’ll ache for the christmas spirit of times past.
i’ll ache for me.
for a version so far gone, i can barely remember her face.

i need you to tell me that this wasnt for nothing.
that the sunflowers growing in my front yard grew from the sheer amount of love i poured into them,
rather than the fertilizer i packed into the dirt.
i need you to hold my face in your aching palms and tell me ive changed.
that my eyes shine like honey, and my skin glows in the moonlight.
that the promises i made many years ago have grown flowers in your heart and spread its seeds to the people around me.
i need you to tell me im good.
please tell me im good.

ive always told myself "i can do this on my own."
i can draw the blade and pierce it through the ones in my way.
i can watch their blood pool beneath my feet, and feel no remorse.

but my hands are stained crimson and there are tears in my eyes.
my hands search, not for a blade but, for you.

i do not want to stain your clothes with my past,
but i need you like the air i breathe.

i cannot fight alone.

the stars would be proud
to be a piece of someone like you