::: The Raven's Cry :::

I understand why the raven screams
she's searching for a wayward lover
some pretty bird who once escaped her
never to return

her feathers were caught in mourning
locked that way eternal
much like her miserable voice
echoing in sorrow

black eyes reflect an empty heart
wizened down to coal
memories like so much moonlight
running down the sky

her gnarled claws remember beauty
the softness in their touch
and the pain that hardened them stiff
aching for surrender

::: And Sometimes :::

sometimes
you make me want to
put on an old Bowie album
and shove you to the bed
push up my skirt
dig your nails into my scars
and your hips into my thigh

and sometimes
you reassure me that you do
that you want it
you threaten me
with so many pretty things
so a taste of your skin
leaves me mad

and sometimes
you ask me to follow through
pressed into a quiet space
nose to cheek and breathing
I imagine nothing better
than your fingers tangled in my hair
our hearts pounding

::: Bone Burlesque :::

these are the scars that become my bones
inside, I feel like a mass of blood
so you'll have to forgive
that I'm less than eager
to show my skeleton
could you handle how it trembles?
how it bleeds

my skin is a shell of porcelain
holding it all in
let the beauty fool you
please be blind

so much damaged tissue beneath
could it ever heal?
I'm surprised there are no visible bruises
from all this hideous bleeding
my heart drowns itself
aching with overexertion
mortally wounded

::: Hungry Lies :::

I truly wish
you'd act like you talk
right now?
I need someone who loves me
to hold me
together as I fall apart
to be honest in my world
of hungry lies

you tell me
you want it, so
why don't you take it?
I'm drowning
watching your hand
inches away
why won't you touch me?

I'm not a book
you can set aside
until you're ready to read
I'm not a doll with plaster face
(though I might wish it)
I've a beating heart
which is aching

would you wrap
your hands around my pain?
why must you turn away
as my need
for you is greatest?
must you become a lie?