betrayed - national poetry month (1/30)

ink and paper

binder and leaves

blank and welcoming

once full so fulfilling

with each stroke of my pen across the pulp

memories of who i'd been slept soundly where i lay them

every syllable hidden between us once sacred

my comfort, my sanctuary, my sanity protected end to end

what to do when you no longer trust the page

which it makes it possible for others to peruse 

to browse lazily amongst the chipped cups,

the worn dress missing two buttons

a pair of shoes too scuffed, too small, too used

things that they truly have no interest in

how much of myself have i given away

simply by scrawling my weaknesses across the screen

accolades sound like tin cans clattering

please say nothing to me if not genuine

dont touch my words, my heart, my hand

and smile garish grimaces ripe with malice

your eyes curdle the milk of my arduous labor

extracted from my soul through my fingers

peeled away from my back like thin sunburned layers

open your mouth to savor them

i pray them as bitter to your tongue

as the words you spoke to inspire them 

jani rosado copyright © 2010

http://www.napowrimo.net/