I often cajole myself Into crying, But I refrain. I know I’ll never stop.

Without you, I feel the pain. The rain seems cold now. Thunder is only evil, And the sky is bare and pale.

Nights of chuckling After no jokes And Dancing without nerves Become me

Shambles: They hold my life together. I’m shredded into slices, Trying to hold it whole, And I wonder if anyone

Sam said, “Get over it.” As if I could Just climb a tree. Sam said,

I cannot bring myself to cry. I can’t decide if this is a curse Or a blessing.

Oh, such a sweet fool. I once thought love Was reigning savior. So, so foolish. I once believed love

You ruined me. How could you? You’re my mother. You were supposed to be strong. Not me.

I was born of the Virgin Mary, Given life to rid earth of evil. Blood on my hands, Dirt on my hands, I’m akin with Christ Himself.

You met me in the winter When I was a petal, Something you desperately wanted t… You loved me in the summer, Underneath the palm oil trees

It’s over. It’s okay. The parting is such sorrow And relief. It hurts like a crushing force,

Moon up, Pants down. I said no. His body said yes.

Listening to you sleep, I’m in grace. Each breath a prayer. Every rustle a litany. You don’t know how loud you are

Then he said, “I never said I was… Then I said, “I never asked you t… Then we kissed.