Betray and Bolster

Betray and Bolster


I am, in this moment,
aching with goodbye.


I tremble with temptation 
of falling to my knees and begging you to stay.


Invisible tears puddle at my feet
soaking me in so much sentimental salt.


You, stoic and unhurried in your farewell,
torture me with a casual, complacent semblance of grief.


In leaving, you fail to notice you are wet too.
As a prisoner of pride, I melt with desperation.


I hear my voice both betray and bolster me
by wishing you well.




Cliches


Swift Justice eludes me, sprinting hand in hand 
with Naked Truth, always the hussy.
A dominatrix of fishnet hose and black leather,
she hides her natural beauty from my seeking eyes.
The stitch in time has come undone
and with it, my entire basket of eggs crashed to the ground,
hemorrhaging  the yellows and white of my life.
Before I noticed, my cart evened up with my horse
sneaking off together to beget bastards by the dozens.
I can't help but cry about milk spilled and dripping
in nervous rivulets over all my days.
I need to hit the bricks and leave this cliched party.
Everybody and their brother 
left this place years ago.




Little Bird


Little bird,
where did you go?
Winged away on a midsummer song?
You stole my breath in your flight
and left me with this outrageous longing.


Thinking back,
you weren't so beautiful after all.


Your midnight songs were more drunken revelries
than my epiphanies.


Your whispers were more wasted breeze
than putting my body at ease.


Your words were as empty
as your hollowed heart.


No, looking back,
you weren't so beautiful after all.




One Nickle and Three Times


One nickel and three dimes
hold in their muted silver
covered in grime, dirt, and sweat,
a future not-yet-met and sanguine dreams.


The phone rings.


The years ahead and years behind
are but passing dogs on the street.
Who meet in another time and place.
In a surreal space, he reaches out
and takes the call
existing on a plane, where the pain
of indecision does not endure
his youth.




Codependence  (A Ghazal)


I think I've always been like this--a clinging friend,
yet described myself as a sweet friend.


I know I often stay beyond my welcome
and refuse a needed retreat, friend.


You hint to me that I overtax your calm.
I am superfluous, a repeat friend.


such resentment forces me to leave now
to walk away on frightened feet, friend.


I will fill myself with things that aren't you
so I may become a replete friend.


Borne by independence, I'll soon return.
Then you and I will truly meet, friend.