and they sing of the dew breeze
Mountains capped by hoodies
They sing of the black sea
Valleys of shining water
Red as the sea
They sing of temptation
His hand on the tiger
And they sing of my country
As if there would be no other

Sunken treasure teeth Father holding his daughter soft gently peeling her off what Mercy what malevolence mutters from the crowd as he quickly sweeps the money and hat away time to move on she feels the damn in her mind giving way caring cramping her style she wants to find on something and ride, Captain, ride into the dark corners she plans to deliver light poor thing such rare treats in a world gone pickled beets and pigs feet she holds her tooth aloft as a star and signals to its sisters- another gift- she proclaims and marches one step twa two step down the lane a torch bearing her name spiraling dna into flame

I’ve been trying to grow things in this world pothos and jade plant aloe and fern and fiddle leaf Chinese Ginger maidenhair, staghorn and crispy fern and they’ve survived with me but mostly my childhood berated me for not having the house I wanted full of plants and animals and museums and blue rooms with statues and now that I’m crazier I’m aligning more with myself and my house is gaining an identity super organized mess creative stations everywhere and love love love love love need more room for books

The tinnitus of an empty house
once buzzing with family
the quiet wings of sleep shed
Cicadas hidden in the photographs
Rainsticks turning in the walls
The very pipes groan in ticks and longing
Stairs lay silent
fans continue their watch
a lone figure listens to the clock

I’m melting
Who cares if the cards are drawn
I never play my hand
I just talk honest to a few who care
Just break off the worst parts of me at the worst time
Then get back up still singing
I’m melting
I just want to understand
What is your master plan
How do I
How do I fit in if at all
Never been a puzzle piece
Just want to build you up
Just want to build us high
I’m melting
Oh, I’ve been ice cold my whole life
Here’s my smile, my sleeve, my heart
But no one gets on the inside til tonight
I’m melting
Hear the fluttering bird
One wing never healed
One winged bird rustling
Never healed right
One winged bird claws ready for a fight
Can you get past my shield?
Not a threat but a hope
It’s real
Who cares if the cards drawn
I never play my hand
Just want to speak the truth
I’m melting
Can you get past my
Can you get past my shield

Moon of birds and bees
Sharing moon
Alit in dew
Daylight moon
Subtracting me from you

Forged force of forgetting trickled down atmosphere down into Belari the swordsmith of Dale- he managed the weapons of kingdoms yet longed for parchment and quill.

O tender man whose life was spent in summer
When winter blows, I pray your shoulder holds
Against the wearying weight of living
May grit and grace always heed your call

Tender eyes and tender knees
Brighter than a sting
Sighs in the northern wind
Sighs in the spruce and willow
Calls to the setting sun
Twixt tailored swallow and shining minnow,
“My love, my love, my love!”