ruggedheart guarded by claws
tucked in your robe She stays pinned
sympathetically sheltered
from the warships & gales
& waves winding under your skin

beating a tempest
She whines a small smile
the keratin armor
piercing harder
in strife

We all wish we could win
without sacrifice
We all wish we could make
the same mistake twice

repetition shatters shields
the strain of the yield
but you always weave your way back in

spit out the seeds
they're hollow it seems
just caskets & violins

We all wish we could win
without sacrifice
We all wish we could win
without burning our wings

return to the tides
shed shelter worn thin
somersault through your time
drink yourself from within
peel back the fruit of the flesh
to the pit
to the core
& dance
where your blood used to spin

March 22 2025