by A.J. & SHAWN

Great lakes splashing colorful mists below me.
Boats steaming rapidly smell like oysters,
fresh from bathtubs where I pass cups of saltwater
over outstretched lips, chapped, thirsty.
Forever dry, the pillows floating like capsules of
aspirin throughout constant prayer, filtering extremely emotional
fists against specific penitents.
Bubble pops, reality kicks – you’re contagious with
your beautifully ugly self-esteem
leading your unstoppable growth;
it’s scary with fragile arms broken, bent, and hurt.
Mood swings dropping lightly like antennae – no signal –
balanced between fingertips gripping
yesterday’s throat.
Crystalline, that’s my fruit punch.
Emotional dinosaurs soar over the lagoon;
I stare up –
brightly colored stars – they’re so beautiful
that I begin to remember you in harsh memories
that I try to bury alive but it keeps connecting with the horrible memories.
Stuffed bunnies, recycled trash, and tough love
spreads like roaches eating peanut-shaped sweets,
physical darlings scattering abundantly.
Clangers clang.
Kaboom.