I’ve been awake all night
holding you way too tight,
wishing away nightmares,
meeting your pointed stares,
I’ve been telling secrets
tearing down this bleakness
of a perfect life,
and perfect wife,
a fantasy
that you take in strife, well
post-it on the door, and
pupils blown with gore, and,
what will you say
today.

here’s a little
note to self,
here’s a little
oath to self,
place the pamphlet on the door
like some planned out scripted lore, oh

strings around my waist and neck
shackles at your call and beck
eyes locked on the open door
(i swear we’ve been here before…)

graphite sharp against the wind
step up step down, refuse to bend
back against the linen sheet
eyes drawn to your clawed, sharp feet—

I’ve been awake all night
holding you way too tight,
wishing away nightmares,

I’ve been telling secrets
tearing down this bleakness
wishing you away,

that you’ll leave today.