To reveal my heart
Is to invite infection
Another layer
To stymy the flow of blood
Another truncated smile
*
Delivered with grace
Despite an abiding nausea
I retract my claws
And shroud my spirit within
The flesh can act unaided
*
Hope is salt water,
A necessary anguish
That can, if misused,
Result in fatality
Survival is tantamount
mindlovemisery 