How did you let it come this far?
Your clothes are littered on the floor
of that college dorm room
and you have no idea
what you did there
for the last twenty-four hours.
Time couldn't have just slipped,
right out of your fingers
like shower water.
You need a shower.
Your hair is tangled and greasy,
strips of bacon strung together
for a breakfast you won't eat.
But he doesn't know that
as he gives you a small kiss
before swinging his feet to the floor.
He leads you out of the room.
Beads tickle your skin
as you stand,
stripped naked,
beneath them.
How could he know who you are
and still love you?
She warned you of the evil
the men in this town possess.
Won't he snap?
Won't he end this?
He has to understand.
You have been manipulated.
You have been poisoned
by all the plastic people surrounding you
to destroy every-thing you touch.
Hasn't he heard their whispers?
You hear them loud and clear.
'He is not the one for you.'
'You need to be better.'
'Let him take advantage of you,
just not like that.'
Which words do you listen to?
Which ones do you ignore?
Maybe you should run.
Maybe he really is a living, breathing devil
but he looks so good.
He tastes so good,
kisses like Twizzlers
and a tongue like maple syrup
over the waffles your daddy whipped up for you
every Christmas morning.
The warning signs are there,
but he is holding matches.
He is coming closer,
pulling you in.
How can you run
when your soul is on fire?
YOU ARE READING
Rays in the Dark
Short StoryA collection of stories and poems depicting people's lives as they struggle with love, mental illnesses, and the everyday battles that life throws their way.
