two heartbreaks past midnight & we’re
shudder-speeding down the highway,
holding light to our chests & stars
to our eyes. driving with the windows down
& sky kissing us farewell. you, wishing
for city lights on passing cars, framed
against the open mouth of the window,
moonlight tangled in hair. saying ‘my god
the smallness here suffocates me,
don’t you feel the air holding onto your breath?
sometimes i want to rip out my bones
& build a castle, just to be real &
beautiful, you know?’ me nodding &
the nod is a lie. me thinking about beauty
& pinky-promises & other sacred things,
about how the world is in love with you
but you’ve never loved easy. no,
you love whole & unrequited,
things that can’t ever fit in your palms,
wolf teeth & urban streets & things
that would sooner bite than love back.