The secrets at 1st took on the #shape of nothing more than soft curving comfort — a lamb to pet & bury herself in its wool. But time sharpened the wool until it cut like glass. She chose not to release her pet. Soon crisscrossed w/scars & blood no 1 could see her anymore. #vss365

It was a small #silly thing he tucked in my #hand , but it meant I was free. “Here, I drew it while I waited.” Palm to palm & meaning more than a kiss.

“A stick figure?”

“Don’t go selling it now. That’s yours to keep.”

Free to love him, without a doubt. #vss365

“What has a #Scotsman even got to be afraid of? Your country doesn’t even have #bears anymore. Naw your woods are a fairyland of deer & squirrels.” The bar’s hum of conversation choked to a stop. The American didn’t know what waited in the trees. It was time for the story. #vss365

My #demon has a name, but I won’t say it. It follows me, waiting in corners, tapping its feet — but I won’t say it. Not even when it strokes my neck, pulls my hair, or pushes me. It’s been waiting so long for its letters to flick off my tongue. But I won’t say it. #vss365

“You’re stuck in that #analogue kind of life, thinking it’s romantic — but you’re just driving yourself into the #ground .” He says w/ a sneer as he watches me scratch an idea onto paper.

“I’ll #harvest my creativity my way, you’re welcome to let the screens devour you.” #vss365

My fingernails scratch the wood as I whip chalk across the floor. I need the #sigil staring back at me before he’s all I’ll ever see. My hair sticks to my lips as I mutter the words learned #aeons ago. Smeared with blood & chalk, I hope I’m a trap & not a sacrifice. #vss365

Sometimes you don’t know you’re in #recovery from some of life’s nasty until you’re almost out of it.

The sun could be warming your face on a good day when the tears hit.

You hadn’t realized how bad it was until now.

You hope you’re never pulled out of the sun again. #vss365

#Cosy in the #wisdom of the plants I felt protected. Danger would wither with the right green friend. Sweat played with my hair as I ground one friend under my pestle. Candlelight made my movements shadow the walls like monsters. It was time. It was always time. #vss365

I felt his bones like an itch in the back of my #skull . You wanted to know how I knew where to dig, that’s how. How deep was a question of how loudly his voice shimmered in my thoughts. And now we have who, you, who did this. And he’s told me exactly where to put you. #vss365

He’s an #onerous man to love. They say this behind the cover of coffee cups, mouths moving small to keep quiet. But they don’t see the laugh that wipes the age & crank right off his face. They don’t see all that’s too much become nothing at all. #vss365

“Go back.” An #endless hum she could ignore depending on how much she ached & how quickly her eyes shut at the day’s end. But as the days grew easier, the hum found its footing. Louder it droned until she gave in & started typing. #vss365

I dug by the #gnarled root of the oak. You told me to. I plunged into the earth with fireflies watching & katydids loud enough for me to feel in my chest. I found the hard candy tin — sour fruits discontinued. I don’t ask anymore about what happened once I saw inside. #vss365

I called him the love #pirate . He’d steal women that weren’t his, gathering them like booty. I asked if he had #compassion for the men. “Nah, they’ve got no sense of #adventure . I’ll stop once I get the one I really want.” I ignored who he meant & let him plunder away. #vss365

He once told me the #void tasted like ice chips. He said this before the day the sky went dark. #One #breath & one taste was all it took, he said. Lips cold, eyes dark, & molars chewing on panic. It didn’t make sense then. I wish it still didn’t. #vss365

I plucked each letter of #love off your lips & let them dissolve one by one on my tongue. They left no bitter taste and instead painted my mouth sweet. I knew then, letter by letter, I could give you l o v e back — and never search elsewhere for those mighty 4 again. #vss365

Were we #moonstruck the night we hoped the stars were enough cover?

Was it its lavender light lighting up our limbs that took our words away?

No, it was you.

It was us.

It was love.

The moon was just lucky to watch.

#vss365

To #speak about the #glade is to talk in whispers. I’ve heard the music, have you heard the music, we’ve all heard the music. It vibrates the air in the clearing. The town couldn’t stay away. Soon the music & the people disappeared. A story some say. The truth say others. #vss365