she met an englishman today
at thornbury castle pub
he asked to take her out sometime
would anything develop?

promise at the start of things
eyes the color aquamarine
conversation flowed with ease
his charm irrevocably enticing

faced with reality
all she sees
is insanity
a deadly disease
living inside me
the most dangerous place to be

brain fog feels so heavy
weighing me down
with thoughts unending
too bad they come and go so fast
what was it i was saying?

tunnels built underground
walls so thick the only noise around
is the cry my voice utters aloud

darkness stretching far and wide
dexterous, denying light for miles
fighting the urge, playing with fire

this cavernous space by myself is a maze
insanity beckons me to stay
how long have i been in this place?

labels make fools of all of us
because we’re never just one thing
this body
i was born with it
life brings such wonders
come fall and spring

a homeless girl sat on the street
dirty clothes. no shoes on her feet
a sign saying “help me”
her eyes so sad and lonely
i had no food nor money on me
i should have brought her food to eat

living in the grey
color lost for days
such lacking
even my bruises fade

was i ever in real danger?
why did i stay?
the voice in my head
too loud and too angry

a cry escaped my mouth
my mind begins to rouse
as always authenticity
leaves no room for doubt

running like being hunted
down a winding path
a slippery slope of wishes
i may never wish to get back

i used to be afraid of the dark
when shadows appeared
lurking around corners
and under beds
and monsters came searching
when dreams turned perilous
but only i seem to take notice

you took my heart and made it yours. you said you’d keep it safe. we both said things we can’t unsay…knives piercing through my shame.

vision blurring from cascading tears, words obscure. held captive by feelings. until we could give no more.