bruised dog

i hope you know that i look at you

the same way you look at him

i hope you know i want to brush your hair out of your face, too
stare until the sunset in your eyes is all i can see; enveloped, engulfed

i want to submerge myself in your saturated laugh
the syrupy lilt in your voice
the hiccups between your cries

i want to band-aid your blossoming bruises
trace the grass stains on your left knee

i hope you know you're worth it
and even though i know the stars will never align for us,

it's enough to just have you around me

it's enough to feel your presence beside me

it will always be enough