Still Life

Sweet, heavy darkness

Like the perfume of youth

Clings to my skin

And follows me forever.

I kept my eyes torn open

And the rain of salt descended

And soaked the earth

And immortalized me.

I want to be the scar

On your wrist

I want to be the pain

That breeds poetry

I want to carry the mark

Of insanity forever.

Precious despair sublime

Like a long, white gown

It becomes me

Or so I've been told.

I kept my flesh wide open

And bled the illness away

And stood up against it

In your bottom drawer

I want to be the second thought

Before you die

I want you to carry my mark

Of insanity forever.

Sweet, heavy darkness

Like the stench of my hair

Clings to your soul

And smothers you forever.

That is how

It's meant to be.