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Description
i.
your words drip with crimson
as you bite your lip;
you always liked to pretend
you held the strength of metal,
and now all that’s left is the aftertaste of copper
trickling down your throat-
what happened to the child throwing pennies in the fountain?

ii.
hidden under the threaded sleeves of your sweater,
I can picture your hands shaking like earthquakes
and your fists held clenched;
I worry your fingernails cut dashed lines
into the palms of your hands,
like the ones painted on back roads and highways-
I’m worried where you plan on going

iii.
viewing your puffy eyes and hearing woebegone-winded words
tangle on your trainwrecked-tongue,
I can’t help but wonder how many puddles of salt
sodden your pillowcase from sleepless nights;
I know you’ve always liked to swim,
but this time darling- can you leave the water in the ocean?

iv.
I bet there’s charcoal clouds
gathering on your bed sheets-
an aftermath of the fire burning
in the caliginous canyon within you;
I guess sometimes
your eyes turn to chimneys at 3 am
because it’s the only time no one else will see

v.
I think happiness for you
has become nothing more
than halcyon hallucinations
collected in a mason jar,
and you’re letting the light suffocate-
you didn’t care enough to poke holes,
not one.

vi.
Oh please dear,
don’t let those fireflies die

Oh please dear,
don't let yourself go

(I care about you more than you will ever know).