fallen star

a star was knocked out of my sky tonight
and it wasn't the moon
and it didn't pull on the earth
but it pulled on me
closer, come closer it said,
shine like this, be beautiful
be pure light so that everyone can see you
sparkle your best from within
because even from up here I know
you have it in you

and when I close my eyes you haven't fallen


mmt.

Blue Grass by Carefree

It's not even like you've died
you're just lost somewhere, I know it
somewhere between now and a few years ago
between when I last saw you and
when you were last
you.
I can't figure out when you went,
or where,
but holding this plate
part of a set you passed down to me
I know you must still be here,
because this plate will last forever

~ 7 February 2013

Shiny, New

In the shiny pictures on boxes
the detailed instructions
on how to use the products
they leave a lot out
like how your brand-new toaster oven
won't stay brand-new, perfect and shiny
it gets dirty when you use it
it gathers dust
and crumbs
and grease
and looks disgusting
like how using your hair dye won't
color your life flawless and happy
no color is that vibrant
forever
like how shopping
and acquiring
and endlessly seeking is endless
because the new products will always
be new
and your life will always be getting older
and worn out
and faded like the turquoise in your hair
after one washing
so the whole thing's a joke
they can't really sell you what's on the box
what's in the packet
they sell you what's in your mind
and I don't mean they like some
'evil corporate entity'
I mean your mind sells you itself
you sell yourself
what you want to buy
and you never
ever
get it.

~ 9 December 2012

Balloon

I love you from the outside of a balloon
like hugging this stretched and empty vessel
but separate from what's inside it
which is a lot of nothing
held by fake plastic skin
and I can't squeeze too hard
and I can't put it down
please pop
please don't pop

~17 October 2012

Polysemy

Ambiguity results from the fact
that pillowfight may mean either
"let's be kids again" or
"I want to get in bed with you,"
while visit me for Halloween 
and we'll do all
these things together in fact
let's make a list so we won't
forget anything and good night good
morning here's a song 
for you and stay one
more day I've wanted to mess around
with a girl before
may mean either
"exactly what I hope it does"
or
"we're just friends."

~13 October 2012

Egg

this secret want is pressed up tight
against the inside of my skin, like
a hardboiled egg inside its shell

thank goodness it's solidified, or
it would all come running out
through the cracks that form as we talk

but still I think you might see the hidden color
like I've been dyed from within
and I think that color could give me away

~September 15 2012

wake

The idea leaves emptiness in its wake
Unfair that it hollows out my sandy mind,
so easily shifted into those grand
castles that never survive
the tide.
Waves mean things always change
and I'll never have a real home.
Or real love.
Or real me.
Just the patterns of old ideas
on the shore.

~August 20