i miss wearing your heart
over my shoulders -
[does that sound cold?]
and the warmth you lent
[i never did pay you back]
on those nights when the chill
of nightmares froze my bones

i painted your laughter
on my face, and hands;
for the first time, i was beautiful
[said the mirror]
but when i let your joy burn out
[or did i simply murder it?]
i found myself
caked in the ashes
of your smile

© Jennifer Hill 2005