Bodies on a spit above starving flames.
Flesh roasting and kerosene riding wind.
Hornets shriek in thronging patrols.
Engines whine and tremors wake.

Corpses flung in pits of sludge.
Rings fall to mercenary hands.
A man on the toilet stares ahead.
Rotting lakes hold muted flies.

A blue ball bouncing in a forest of ash.
A child's giggle in dead concrete homes.
eyes fixate. dart. stop. start.
Thoughts stop.

Feet rest in shattered caskets.
Boots squelch in marshes.
A baby trundles to its mother.
Then a sulfur cloud.

A mother never touches her daughter again.

Comment Comment

Blade of grass can you sway in a single cutting breeze.

Blade of grass do you ride a cool gale away from me.

Blade of grass I pray for you, a chant I wrote for both of us.

Blade of grass I cry alone, a moment and you become not gay.

Blade of grass can you return for me and together we'll be gay.

comment 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1vqfy6b/great/

comment 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1vr0xv2/the_idea_of_us/

I have PDS (pigment dispersion syndrome)
My eyes got darker over time.
I could have gone blind.
Thanks PDS.

Black spots appeared.
It happened all at once.
I couldn’t see.
Mostly.

I went to the ophthalmologist
Pretty much the next day.
They told me I’ll go blind

My stomach became a pit.
I looked at my eyes again
That hurt the worst.
They made me…
me
They were mine.

Drops dulled the ache.
My eyes made more pigment.
I lost my green.

Today they’re like olives!
I see the light green
But the brown is now there.

I like pictures with the lighter green.
I had a girl tell me.
Please give me your eyes.
I want them to look only at me
But PDS took them away.

I really miss them.
She saw me.
I could feel her disgust.
I really miss her.

I lied.
I wish I hadn’t but...
Without them
Am I me?

If I had known
just a moment sooner
Would I still be me?

She was my girl.

It got all messed up
Fuck these damn eyes.

It wasn’t them was it?
It was really just my
own foolish pride.

I miss her.
I was excited.
We were obsessed
But only for days

Because of my damn eyes.
She’ll never be mine.
At least I can see.
I guess they’re now just for…

me.

comment 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1vnz8fp/a_man_unaware_of_his_own_crimes/

comment 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1vny8ql/triality_of_flan/

I heard a rustle outside my window today, who can it be, shall I go see?
My window opens and I hear a chirp, I see leaves tussle, and I smell...seed?
Are brown eyes peering at me in the wafting tree?
Oh hello friend!
What are you doing here again?!
Would you like to come in?
Maybe stop just for me?

Come on in my favorite guest.
No?
That's okay, I'll wait for you until I rest.
What do you think of this place?
Maybe it's just a space...

But I think for me it's more than that?

That's what I thought too!
You're so brilliant mon ami!
I like your tail, the curl and the brown and the white.
You look happy today.
I'm happy too.
That's what I tell you.
That's what I tell myself.

Those chittering teeth are cute.
Did you know I had a cat once?
He really was the best I've ever had.
I can't quite remember where he went.
Maybe out the window you're on?
I don't really know?

I love your coat today, is it new?

No, you say
How have I never seen it before?
Oh! It's just that you've been gone for some days.
Well I love it all the same.
Come see my skirt.
It's new and I like it with this other shirt.
No?
Oh... that's okay.
I don't know that the color is okay anyway

Will you be honest with me?

Yay!
Do I bore you?
Do you think I've grown dull?

No.
No no.
You say.

I love your paws!
They look so good on you.
How do they move?
Can you show me a dance!
No?
...
Oh... that's okay.

Oh fantastic, what a jolly stroll.
Have you thought about being in a show?
I think you'd do great.

Oh yes I was a wonderful child.
Wait...
Am I not still?
Maybe I am, oh yes I am!

Would you like to come in?
We could play a game.
I know a great one!
It's called do the same!
We mimic one another.

Come see my art!
Oh please say yes?
It needs an audience!
No, you say.
Oh...that's okay.
Maybe you can see it from here.
If you squint you'll see it.

You see it!
Oh how wonderful!
It hurts to squint?
Well... I guess you don't have to look.
I personally like the greys
....
maybe you wouldn't understand.
....
Maybe I can't see
....
Anything through the tree.

Can I tell you a secret?
This one's just for you.
Well it's because you're my best friend!
Who else could I trust with my story?
...
Thank you!!!

I think I used to be like you.
That's it, that's the secret.
Can you believe it?
I finally said it!
I can't believe it's out.

Would you like to hear another?
Oh wow I'm so lucky to have you.
Okay here goes.
You'll always be mine.
I won't let you go.
And in my mind maybe that's fine?

Come with you?
Oh no I don't know.
Do you think I can do it?
Climb that tree.
...
Duh.

Can we still be friends?
If I don't come to you?
...
No...oh that's fine.

Or is it?
...
finally time.

Can I hold your hand?
Would you at least do that for me?
Maybe dance with me?

Only if I come out to see you?
Why do you do this to me?
...
...
...
Okay then.
I agree.
I think.
It's time.

I love you, do you love me?
Yes? Oh, that’s truly divine?

Comment 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1vmkh8s/comment/p3dnnqf/?context=3

Comment 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1vmzoxj/comment/p3dmtxe/?context=3

A current stirs beneath the wind,

a murmur in the sky.

Waves carry laughter—

honey, sugar, rain—

and for a moment

pain loosens its grip.

The world appears

untouched by shame.

Light struggles through the pane,

finding brightness

even in the stain.

The cool air warms against my skin,

and I think:

life could be like this.

Only a moment—

a careless streak of light

passing through an anxious,

fear-ridden mind,

touching an older wound.

A stinging pause.

An opening

no gauze could bind,

no silence soothe.

I hold the moment carefully,

like a self-conscious thief

afraid even hope

might make a sound.

Then questions.

The light begins to fade,

lingering at the edge

of another haze.

Golden and amber

show themselves cautiously

through the daze.

The hours lengthen.

The currents slow.

One heart catches

where two had only drifted.

There are words

without meaning,

a heart

without feeling.

The moment belongs

to each of us differently.

In only one of us

does it take root.

Night grows long.

The moment grows small.

Somewhere,

a song almost begins,

but only one note remains,

holding itself

against the silence.

Seconds pass.

The light has gone dim.

Stray syllables escape

while twilight burns

for only one.

Time moves on.

Silence keeps its sting.

The song never arrives.

One last thought.

One final goodbye.

A hope still trembling

along the strings.

Night draws close,

my only quiet suitor.

A final glimmer.

Then darkness settles

without ceremony.

Parting words,

half-given.

A tenderness I will not chase.

A loss I can forgive.

And one last call

into the dark:

Hey, sun—

thanks for the rays.

Glimpses of Light

A current stirs beneath the wind,
a murmur in the sky.

Waves carry laughter—
honey, sugar, rain—
and for a moment
something milk-sweet fills the air.

The world appears
untouched by shame.

Light struggles through the pane,
finding brightness
even in the stain.

The cool air warms against my skin,
and I think:

life could be like this.

Only a glimmer—
a careless streak of gold
passing through
a quietly turbulent mind,
touching an older wound.

A stinging pause.
An opening
no gauze could bind,
no silence soothe.

I hold the moment carefully,
like a self-conscious thief
afraid even hope
might make a sound.

Then questions.

The light begins to fade,
lingering at the edge
of another haze.

Golden and amber
show themselves cautiously
through the daze.

The hours lengthen.
The currents slow.

One heart catches
where two had only drifted.

The moment belongs
to each of us differently.

In only one of us
does it take root.

Night grows long.
Time and part grow small.

Somewhere,
a song almost begins,
but only one note remains,
holding itself
against the silence.

Seconds pass.
The sky has gone dim.

Stray syllables escape
while twilight burns
for only one.

Time moves on.
Silence keeps its sting.

The song never arrives.

One last thought.
One soliloquy for two.
A hope still trembling
along the strings.

Night draws close,
my only quiet suitor.

A closing glimmer.

Then darkness settles
without ceremony.

Parting words,
half-given.

A tenderness I will not chase.
A loss I can forgive.

And one last call
into the dark:

Hey, sun—
thanks for the rays.

comment 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1vkligu/comment/p2w5clv/?context=3
comment 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1vkh5xf/comment/p2w614k/?context=3

I like to workout a lot, six days a week same time every morning same gym same routines. Ive been going to the same gym for years and it’s always been me and a bunch of older folks doing their thing. The past couple months though a woman around my age started coming every day, usually keeps to herself but seems chill and fine we be never had any verbal interactions.

the past couple months though I feel lve been noticing weird behavior from her to me. The past three days she’s picked weights from the rack right in front of me as I’m mid set (it’s like a two foot gap between the bench and weights which is pretty small space imo), passing by the rack in front of her own bench and one closer to her than where I was. Shes been taking benches one or two away from me when the floor is totally empty. I could smell her wearing perfume a week ago, who wears perfume to the gym. Weirdest is I caught her watching me when I looked up from a writing a work email. When we made eye contact she just stared at me aggressively and walked past even when I tried to smile at her. The last big thing is I was putting my jacket away on the coat rack and she came around the corner and saw me there and immediately went to lift in her jacket, which I know she has never done before and exercising in a winter coat is just bizarre.

Usually I’d take that as signals to go talk to her but she’s aloof whenever I try to make eye contact. Ive tried to make eye contact and it feels like she aggressively avoids it as she walks by me in walkways or near the fountains or lockers. She’s also never tried to initiate a conversation or even smiled at me when we have happened to make eye contact.

Im a confident guy so I’m usually not an issue with stuff like this but when women have been interested before they just come up and introduce themselves and give me their numbers. At the least they smile at me and make it obvious. It drives me crazy this hot and cold where I don’t know what to do and it takes away my space and routine. You gotta respect her space too though and make sure women don’t feel uncomfortable or unsafe so I’m hesitant to just shoot my shot and fuck it up for both of us

Im honestly pretty into this girl or Id just leave it alone. Shes my type and has the same habits but if someone is giving these signals you don’t know what to do.

TLDR: womens signals are confusing and if you’re giving guys signals like this but are too afraid to make eye contact stop it and get some help

I like to workout a lot, six days a week same time every morning same gym same routines. Ive been going to the same gym for years and it’s always been me and a bunch of older folks doing their thing. The past couple months though a woman around my age started coming every day, usually keeps to herself but seems chill and fine we be never had any verbal interactions.

the past couple months though I feel lve been noticing weird behavior from her to me. The past three days she’s picked weights from the rack right in front of me as I’m mid set (it’s like a two foot gap between the bench and weights which is pretty small space imo), passing by the rack in front of her own bench and one closer to her than where I was. Shes been taking benches one or two away from me when the floor is totally empty. I could smell her wearing perfume a week ago, who wears perfume to the gym. Weirdest is I caught her watching me when I looked up from a writing a work email. When we made eye contact she just stared at me aggressively and walked past even when I tried to smile at her. The last big thing is I was putting my jacket away on the coat rack and she came around the corner and saw me there and immediately went to lift in her jacket, which I know she has never done before and exercising in a winter coat is just bizarre.

Usually I’d take that as signals to go talk to her but she’s aloof whenever I try to make eye contact. Ive tried to make eye contact and it feels like she aggressively avoids it as she walks by me in walkways or near the fountains or lockers. She’s also never tried to initiate a conversation or even smiled at me when we have happened to make eye contact.

Im a confident guy so I’m usually not an issue with stuff like this but when women have been interested before they just come up and introduce themselves and give me their numbers. At the least they smile at me and make it obvious. It drives me crazy this hot and cold where I don’t know what to do and it takes away my space and routine. You gotta respect her space too though and make sure women don’t feel uncomfortable or unsafe so I’m hesitant to just shoot my shot and fuck it up for both of us

Im honestly pretty into this girl or Id just leave it alone. Shes my type and has the same habits but if someone is giving these signals you don’t know what to do.

TLDR: womens signals are confusing and if you’re giving guys signals like this but are too afraid to make eye contact stop it and get some help