The house was being emptied
as we exchanged laughs
talking about
our first cigarettes

Tattered books, toys, plans
placed on the curb for grabs
as I timidly reached for your hand
hoping that new memories could mask
those of the twelve years past

I lick my lips slowly
savoring each molecule that's left
still confident
in my choice to cut back
all the while unaware
that I'm already trapped

sticky
sweet
addicting
withholding
no different than the rest

curtained behind
a dubious smile
watching, waiting
to provide
temporary pleasure
then cater
to another

Three times now
I've washed my hands
and still feel its trace
maybe I'll try
agave next

A few hours of elation
followed by weeks of self-deprecation
Here I am
in trouble again

At least now the greens are gone
soon I’ll even be rid of the bottle
but letting go of our playful banter
is punishment I don’t want to handle

So go ahead and tax me
for pretending there ever was a “you and me”

Washed up on the beach
barely breathing
she had travelled far
beyond the Andes
north of the equator
into cooler waters

At seven-feet-wide
it was hard to comprehend
how she'd gone so long unexposed
So they called her Hoodwinker
for often she deceived
those who tried
to get under her skin

Found too late,
and far from home
they assumed she took a wrong turn
"How lonely, strange"
they said
unaware that she just sought
her own path instead

Later they'd learn some things
from her sturdy skeleton
but they'd never know her side
of the life that she so staunchly chose

Bruised, bare
leave me with my blanket
while I build a tougher layer

The floor is still wet you see
and my ankles are just too weak
for the slippery mess out there

Give me some time
I'll try to decompress
though currently, Cynicism
has me tangled in her nest

I’m going to close the blinds now
to be at my own mercy
Don't be alarmed
if you don't hear from me

Your timing is impeccable
ready when needed
but willing to wait
Your curves
are enviously symmetrical
How do you manage
to stay in shape?
You're too good for me,
I know
but I love you so
teeny tiny avocado

A pillar
spitting out poetry
as we exchanged our last words
unbeknownst to me
How comical
that we met at a place
called Make Believe