don't walk away i'm talking to you

waving her jealousies
she squints beyond
her current predicament
between synthetic rocks

what gives her licence
is the truth of the lie
we spend our time wondering
if she's slept all right

(but here no one knows--
but here no one sees me
now why this long walk?
i know you don't mean it)

so much just to be as admired
let me help someone
who isn't yet one of my children
as much as she stings

(it's my lip, gets chewed
it's my apology to make
and i squint and i squint
and i
squint)

she sparkles today
occasional tears and satin
and the bags under her eyes
are caked up with the morning

she reassures with arms
leathered and careless
as she hoists herself up
and over her manufactured hard place

it's me no one knows
but everyone sees it
i'm sorry, i said
i don't think i meant it