Mask of the Author

*INTERNAL SCREECHING EXCITED NOISES*

that chemical reaction

the lightning bolt across your mind

before you’ve registered what’s happened.

the jolt that’s felt inside your head,

and traces down your arms

before you’ve read the message-

sets their phone

down on the counter.

halo shines backlit

as they search-

but I remember laughing,

reading your texts with a smile,

while walking into my room,

looking away, looking up,

to laugh into the air,

they aren’t my wife [not a woman, also not married], and I’m not a guy [not a woman, [mostly] not a man either, also not married].

When you’re amongst the crowds,

It’s hard to see the stars.

The biggest, hung close, shouts,

“Love me, forever, more!”

It shouts without a sound,

Speaks loud without a word.

Heal us, sunscreen, aloe;

It doesn’t mean to burn.

but!

The stars, they shine just-right,

And though they’re far away,

Waiting for them at night,

Helps get me through the day.

My constellation shines,

No matter what they say.

Distance the Sol reason,

-💙

maybe one of these days we’ll