The Silence Between Us
I think in everything and nothing;
pointless quips send me spinning,
and sometimes I forget to breathe.
each exhale begins to be too much;
maybe I just want to stop.
I wish my brain would let my words explode,
instead of shielding its insecurities.
punch me, you damn coward–
but I can’t take risks like that
not at the chance of losing.
speaking hurts; tell me what you need to hear.
now a dangerous silence hangs,
screaming that it's my turn.
I can’t be asking stupid questions
not when I’m standing in front of you,
like the idiot I am.
creatures of self doubt climb from shadows,
whispering vile truths in my ears.
I wish that by touching my skin
you could understand all I feel.
my love for you has the grasp of an iron first,
yet my confidence in you can barely stand straight
how could I believe that you can recognize me when
your eyes are filled with horror?
I need you to know there is a war in my mind.
be careful.
these thoughts are crowding in my head,
packing in and unable to escape;
but no words seem capable of an explanation.
my eyes glaze over in adoration when I see you;
perhaps this is why I stand silent.
I can not ask for anything,
when I should be playing catch up
my own eyes can tell me
even if I love you more,
all attempts end in failure.
you have always been better.
and I’m terrified to mess up.
my feet are frozen
I am planted in this horrible place;
us humans, we like familiarity.
in some masochistic way,
how can I deny the fault is mine?
I have been rooted and grown here.
but I want nothing more than to escape.
Julia Carmona
edited: Noel Kim