how the will to survive

outlasts the will to destroy.

In return, I lacerate their hearts with flint.

i didn’t look in mirrors.

Still, he pays a penny.

I spent weeks digging the painful glass crystals out of my fingers with a pair of tweezers.

All our faults are fallen leaves.

Forgive where God will not.

Silence. Drilling. A fly buzzed a perfect enneagram.

Mouse child wiggles toward the cracked window, searching for a breeze.

Who put the BOMB in the booma boom ka-BOMB boom / Who…

They never said, "Don't stare at the stars, you'll go crazy."

But they should have.

It’s Halloween and California is on fire.

Evilly, the sun found any spot sunscreen missed. 

We skinned the thing that killed you,

boiled its flesh for soup.

Kerria touched every bouquet that she passed, in case something were to happen.

Once, I fell asleep in a fire.

It’s no news that the first sons in Arinze’s kindred did not live past thirty-five.

No one shows you how to wear your blackness

No one gives you that armour

They stop at James’ chair. Not a word is spoken. James rises. Follows them outside.

In my mind’s eye, Monday is indigo.

Even now, I can only love him when the candles have been pinched and our light and dark is hidden by the night.