hold my hand 

let’s go for a walk

i’ll shield you from the sun

we don’t have to talk    

.

stay at my pace 

it’s the same concrete squares 

you don’t have to look at me 

if you don’t want to or care 

.

put on these headphones 

& share this song 

it’s dark like you 

the same way you drone on

.

why are you here? 

what made you stay? 

a tinge on my skin 

in the middle of the day 

.

you are my sheath 

you lurk deep in my eyes 

strangers see you flicker

when they pass us by 

.

where else could you live?

here’s a house you can enter 

still you love mine 

right in my dark heart center 

.

step on that crack 

i don’t care whose spine breaks  

maybe it’ll be mine 

maybe that’ll keep you away 

(3/18/25)