this is a story for our children

this is a story 
for our children—

how I surrendered
with a simple 'you win' 

and walked so far in, 
your heart screaming 

'run' 

followed, only to find a love 
that makes you cry

depth and tenderness
an intimacy unimagined

now you won't apologise
for dreams of children

we won't have

feeding time

there are people
you should not return to

who would have you
tearing your heart out

there are people who 
turn a blind eye

for they must feed

decipher

how are you able
to see the writing
carved into my skin

read this language
understand this blood
how it ebbs and flows

hold this breath
measure its weight
and know its depth

you have not
known enough
of this life but yet

when I see
your soft hands
I want them

cry

I want to forget
how I loved you
with a love 
that made you 
want to cry

[unable to 
reciprocate -
heart swollen
with wanting
head trying to
stay afloat]

I will take 
nothing from you
when I leave
you will feel 
everything you are
disappear

no words

you brought out the

dictionary

made her swear on every

synonym

for over, left, broken

framing your questions in

all possible ways

covering all bases in

uncovering

your guile nowhere near

sufficient

for her deceit

my aunt looking for

proposals

for her daughter, adjusted

her shawl

and with a youthful laugh

once said

an old man marrying a

young girl

is like buying a book

for other people to read

love is warfare - II

love is warfare

we both know

only one of us 

comes back alive

journey

you are yet
to draw
lines between
my scars
see the shape
that emerges
draw parallels
and you would
speak of love
we have far to journey
I am still mapping 
your birthmarks

you break me

you bury your face in me
like you are starving 
I am left gasping

clawing at the sheets
your arms gripping me
held by the hips

I am helpless,
breathless, 
bound

and then you break me

happiness - III

happiness is fleeting 

but loss lines your bones

after I break

what you call serendipity 
is a weight inside my chest

you give me too little of you 

how did you learn to be 
so careful with yourself?

watching me hurl myself into us

standing there calmly, know this -
I will turn away after I break.

fallen - II

for the first time 

it doesn't scare you 

didn't you see 

my hands shake as I lit up 

yet another cigarette -
I've been scared for weeks

my face against your chest 

helps me breathe

you are home
I am lost

no bearings, 
no ground, 
no sky

supplant

today my heart
is beating outside my body
today my heart is crawling
into you

tomorrow I will
grow myself a new one 
and you will wake up
lost