Saving Face

I kissed her hand

Then I ran

Then I cried

I didn’t understand

I was fifteen

I showed up at her doorstep with twelve white roses

Her mom answered

White was a disguise

Red would have flagged romance

But, white is the colour of innocence

Her name was Heather

I think I scared her

She didn’t understand

Neither did I

*

“Twelve White Roses”

The moment you realize you don’t want “well adjusted”

You want it wild

You want to fly

You’ve been scared of your shadow

You’ve been lost in a lie

But in your shadow is the life

It’s not safe, but it’s alive

Not too little, nor too late 

It’s time to say “Fuck it!”

It’s time to dive

*

 “Shadows”