ribbons

a poem of toxic love and delicate hope

poetry recitation

ribbons ৎ

It was
a february valentine,
when I told you
that you could never
be too much to
be mine.

That I would hold
my rib cage
in my hands.
Breathe more room
for my love for you.

Like a dandelion wish.

I would allow
my heart to grow,
until it pressed
against the softness
of intercostal shivers.

Rearrange my ribs
as many times
as needed.
Tie ribbons around
any bones
that splintered.

Adore you through everything.

Because passion
felt like
the drip of honey
onto teeth and
over lips.

Reminded me
why this body
always fights
to take
another breath.

When it touched me
it felt like
wavy silk
sliding over
my waist.

Until it would cut
and I would
bleed the saltwater flood
of knowing
you didn’t want me,
to grow.

You pulled tighter
and tighter
at these ribbons
wrapped around
my sides.

I must shrink
smaller
and smaller
to ever be your
pride.

And this finger
that you point
as you judge;
shines
like the whole
cosmos to me.

Even though
I can’t see.
Because you drowned
my eyes
underwater.

Too long
my hands have
been tied
with the
delicate ribbons
of infatuation.

Scars around my
wrists.
Satin gossamer lies.

I sat patiently
like a good girl
as you tied ribbons
around my throat.

Drained me
of my love and
my time.

Sucked on me
like the dummy
that I am,
to soothe your
traumatised mind.

I should have known
when you never
took me high.

Twenty seconds
and your ribbons
were on my
thigh.

I’m so sorry
this world
shattered the eyes
that were yours.

Dehydrated your
heart.

That you don’t
have any spare.

Because I would have
always
worn the ribbons
across your lower back,
as bows in my hair.