The Exploration of a Familiar Sky

She maps the constellations
of his skin, discovering triangles,
one dipper against a tan sky.
An arm to any other
may not be this exquisite.

It is not the warmth of the arm
wrapped so tightly around
waist or ribs, nor the way
in which it cradles
her peacefully resting head,
not the strength
held within trained muscle.

Her eyelashes dance
along it’s curve, lips
follow, exploring inch by inch.
If only he could feel
the depth of love
her lips tenderly press
against his skin. Constellations
traced with half closed eyes.

The stars of this world
rival the darkest night’s
distant lights. Her fingers
find the smallest points,
graze each one, counting
how far they’ve come
to meet her here.

Making Peace With Screams

Stuffing myself
to quiet the screaming
I consume
a more painful noise,
knowing it will
momentarily ease
the ache in my ears,
I run to my release,
flushing it all
brings silence.

When everything becomes
a single yell that begs
to be let out, I realize
it is the silence that I seek
that will kill me.

My secret leaks
through the closed door
to the ears of disbelievers.
Though it is
an endless echo
in my head, I find
no one willing
to decipher its source.

Left alone
to dull the sounds,
the silence persistently calls
my name, I have to stop
my self destruction,
learn to live
in a world of screams.