dive back into the ocean, you lovely
creature, you pathetic.  remember
all the afternoons you wasted on
your blue, unchanging dreams.  here —
gather your misery like an expensive
cashmere shawl, wear it around your
quiet throat, deny its
existence.

as always, the roads are long.  it rains like
a wet black tongue.  you've covered your
tissues in blood again, you've
eaten all the fruit, juice and insides
sliding through the holes in your
red, red lips.  because you are
screaming, you are silent.  it's time —

fold the shawl with
tenderness.  tie a piece of string
around its waist, its pinky finger.  make a
wish.  address it to the future.  never
send it.  keep it on your top
shelf, covered with dust as
thick as your determination.