Black Valentine

I was here before--

begging for a hug involving thorns.

Flicked them off if they refused.

A beating heart

I keep sticking push pins in.

The taste of loneliness

like a pinky holds a promise.

And it ruins me.

Here I am again--

crack a cold one

around the cocktail hour

and watch the sea storm rage.

Forgotten hours,

anonymous faces on the street

whom I would never meet.

Do you feel the ache?

What keeps you awake?

What wound is on repeat?

I've survived unthinkable things

like shedding a second skin.

Nothing looks the same anymore.

How I love you, black valentine.