We Will, We Won't

Toxicity that leads to falling out of love.

Half Life

Letters slip from my tongue forming words I don’t mean

Like children’s alphabet blocks slipping down a worn staircase

I do my best to scoop them back up before you hear, but too late

The damage done, the ground between us rent and smoking

I call out for you at the bottom of my voice, giving most of my all

Anger stiffens your spine, and you taste the bitterness in your mouth

Like a marionette with strings pulled taut and aspirin melting in its throat

You breath comes in stops and starts as you spin around to lash your whip

The sharp sting of the rapier pierces my chest and I see my pain in your eyes

You weep for us with some of your tears, and try again with part of your might

My hand reaches out to grasp what’s left of where and what we used to be

Like a ghostly wind rocking the ancient chair we’ve sat in so many times before

My sanded fingertips barely reach your face before I am weary with the effort

The empty space hangs loosely around us, ill-fitting and cold with distant rain

I believe in you with some of what I have, pouring out a portion of my hope

The night falls quickly as you rise from the ashes and turn away from me

Like a broken doll with despair etched across your shoulder blades

Our hearts snap back within our rib cages guarded and poisoned by our anger

Separately we walk together, up the stairs that carry us to and fro each day

We’ll start again with half our hearts and scream for us at the middle of our lungs