a collision

of broken hearts.

your furrowed brows,

my hidden hurt,

unspoken words

in humid air.

can’t you see my chest on fire,

can’t you look past my stone face,

can’t you reach beyond old walls

that keep me safe from desire,

can’t you know I want you

to break them down.

i try to form words that

my tongue wraps around

clumsily,

fumble in my mouth

awkwardly,

like i am performing love,

like it needs elaboration

to be understood, calibration

to be received,

like it is not enough

as it is, like i am not enough

for you, but how i tried

stubbornly

to be what you needed

like some eager poodle.

of all the words, goodbye

is the hardest to say,

but i say it anyway.