Papercut shadows, pale regrets

windows choked with snowflakes

burned eyes, red face

apologies, one by one

sad and sour

reach out, reach back

silhouettes, strange hands.

Everyone tells you

parents are only human

everyone makes mistakes

don’t hurt mommy and daddy.

People tell you to “suck it up”

don’t know what they’re talking about

suck poison back into its source

bite your lips bloody

against the acrid taste,

the hoses forced into your mouth.

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day

making cards to say I love you

thanking them for your survival

at four years old

bringing homage to the king and queen

of your little life

scraping the ground before your idols

who can do no wrong.

Nobody tells you

you’re only human

you’re something strange—

raw flesh of fruit

bones running down your tears

and here you stand in the doorway

in a blur of lights and bruises

shadows slicing into your words

till, like a soiled child in shame

you cry to be cleaned

and throw the old blankets of darkness

before their feet.

Sing,

and though the night is long

and you are alone

believe what they say

and nothing is wrong.