1.
it hurts.
oh, god, does it hurt.

2.
“if you need anything, just ask”
is mostly just a nice thing
people say to make THEMSELVES feel better
about what you’re going through.

3.
no one knows what to say
so they stop saying anything.

4.
i saw death in your eyes.
felt in your
gone grip.
heard in the tick
of your heart.
saw the blood 
comes out cold.
green glow
on your face,
i hear the yellow of you
turn gold.

5.
i’m fine!
i’m totally fine!
i’ve never felt an emotion in my life!

6.
you can usually blame the red eyes on allergies
and no one will press you further.

7.
all we ever want is more.

8.
clawing at the side of a cliff.
hoping hard–praying harder–
for a handhold.
find purchase only in the air.
nothing to catch me but the ground.

9.
people will say you’re
asking too much,
being too much,
wanting too much,
holding on too long.
you’re not.

10.
it hurts again.