Vermilion

for Nathan


I once opened my arms wide
exposing what was inside
a brilliant cascading scarlet thread
that was pulled out from my heart and head
I thought that it could be pulled forever
and never shrink in any weather
But once pulled long and tight,
my eyes paralyzed in fright
the feeling of my wings being released
and every dream and thought was hence deceased.
And then in knots all tangled up inside.
And the ground then opened up wide.

Vermilion, fading,
into the pool, wading,
My fingertips touch the tickled mercury
My lips were bitten, red with fury.
And there is an unattractive part of me
jutting out there for everyone to see
That everyone already saw
So I am reworking and stretching my jaw
With nagging insistence,
strengthening it's resistance
ready to just bite it off.
I am not a butterfly, I'm just a moth
I am stuck inside a square
and I do not need to be there.