Between the in-betweens of toes, searing the soles
Cirrus clouds swirling and caressing in the sharp breeze
Malicious chapped kisses on already-dried arms
Exhausted breathe wasted on silence
Stretching and fading, eviscerating mountains of reasons, proofs, and doubts to rubble
Reminiscent of what was thought to be Babylon
Pulse
Exploding
Tear visible only in the darkest mirror
Two minutes too late
Arms wrapped around a thinning ghost
Ashamed to leave
………….
………….
………….
Again
I wish I loved you the first, second, third thousand time
Instead of acquiescing to the seductive soliloquy I was sold on by corner mannequins
Shadowing the empty car to nowhere
Proximity to promises of just one more time
Lips pried open with forceps and clamps
Waterfalls of a briny sting
Flood the hallow plastic and drench the cotton to the skin
Second hauntings in the mirror
Forgotten at the seat at the table
A child’s unsatiated appetite for a substituted love
I wish I loved you the first time
--Ryan C., Adult