By Mina Talebi, TIWP Student

Flowers died when you didn’t come over
Yellow tulips holding each other, weeping
I go hoarse like a desperate woman, reaching for someone who is curling to avoid me
I chase you and you run
Obediently disgusted,
Heartbreakingly afraid
There must be a sharpness in the way that I love
Mud and dirt slather my laugh and you cringe

Silence ensues with more curiosity than you ever had,
I don’t move and hope you will find me under the covers
Hold me in this pillow fort of hope and shame
Your dad slapped you once so I’m not sure if you know how to hold someone.

There is horror in my chest when you look at me
I freeze like a deer and sprint toward the light like a deer never would
I think I would let you drag me into your dim future,
7-eleven and static TV, name-brand beer and microwave dinners, a few extra pounds
And you slapping me when I try to hold you

Run my fingers through your hair and tell you that I would let you do anything you wanted
Take my clothes
My peace
My pillow forts
You can have everything you want
But still don’t want me

So flowers grieve
Children cry under sheets
Fathers slap their kids
And I keep loving you from over here.