shine on

there is a darkness

harbored by my ribs

an ivory cage

and i am eating matches

like over-salted french fries

trying to burn

it off

but this isn’t

a movie

and this is not a bid to

die with my lover

my mattress is only

big enough for one

and there just aren’t enough

blankets to simulate the

warmth of another body

laying next to mine

scuffed boots leave streaks

of dirt on striped sheets

like i have somewhere to be

someone to go to

when i can’t sleep

but the sun rises

shines into bleary eyes

and if i squint

the shaft of light

arcing across my carpet

looks like it could be you

that darkness could also

arguably be in the shape of

you and i am still trying to

figure out if that place

is something i should be

ridding myself of

or holding close

with both hands

and these matches are

nowhere near as sweet

as your lips were

on that dark night

but i am shining

bright now

maybe enough for you

to see

and if you don’t

well

then that’s okay

too