Lost in places we’re supposed to feel safe
In dark spaces, time spent tempting fate
Looking for despair in low corner of self-hate
Dreading looming disasters in nights so late
Marriages tested before honeymoon phases
Lost count of worthless evenings, wasted days
Miles between pillows, bridges retracted up
Dreaming of only one person’s touch, so much
I see it before you do, then, and always
Wander far, through unfamiliar hallways
Prefer distraction since it’s easier to avoid
Anyone’s company is better than noise
Starved for attention and unladen affection
Disappeared for days, unanswered questions
Alone in our empty bed, math adds up poorly
Ain’t real if it takes a drug for you to love me
2.13.21 - Homes, Heartbroken
I can’t fix what’s going on in her head
Reliving nightmare days pass, in bed
Wrist suspended from the wall above
Zip-tied by ghosts, false tortured love
Mute tears, a scared girl’s past world
Post-traumatic tragedy sleeps curled
Knees tucked, frail skin, hunched over
Medicated isn’t much better than sober
One scarred arm rests arm over her head,
Memories play back, first-person cassette
Until the arm comes down, wait at her feet
Just soothe her back, ‘till the terrors abate
Date, location, dog, husband, home, bed
Words can’t reach her, repeat them, yet
She looks up, trembling big, brown eyes
Love? She asks, strokes the puppy’s thigh
Lazy tail thumps, content squish-face sigh
Love. All is right. Yet a moment, she cries
Unraveled another thread, unbound lies
Love has no need of noble hero to fix her
Gentle arms heal broken hearts better