oh!
sorry if I woke you
she says upon discovery of the slumbering silver psyche
yaaaawn
…hey…
what’s a pretty little thing like you
doing way down here?
I have a hole
a hole?
a hole
may I see?
right here
she points to her chest
doesn’t that hurt?
a little
come here
let me look at you
she tiptoes towards him tacitly
darling, you’re bleeding!
yeah, it’s been doing that for a while now
all of my clothes are ruined
he reviews her jagged curves
oh
I thought you were dressed in red
you wear it too well
glassy drops drip over her painted body
weaving glossy trails of existence
mingling with the sticky diluted colour
warm and painted wet
who did this to you?
I did
she shuffles her feet
eyes fall to the floor
dearest, who did this to you?
he moistens a cloud white cloth
as he directs her to the washroom
I did
why would you do such a thing
to yourself?
he begins drawing an ivory bath
with water so clear and sparkling
I wanted to see
see what?
if I could feel
she scratches a fingernail into her arm
revealing a sliver of her milky ghost
do you mind?
he extends his arm
mildly enveloping her dripping hand in his
a last wave of emotion rolls over her
while she steps gingerly into the tub
let’s see what we can do
he smiles with his eyes
winking them into hers
why are you helping me?
because I can
is that alright?
I don’t want to be a burden…
sweetheart, you’re only a burden to yourself
his words sting with burning honesty
she withdraws into herself
close your eyes
I’ll take care of you
she pulls away abruptly
panic flooding her perception
how can I trust you?
here
he removes each piece of clothing
laying them in a gentle heap at his feet
is that better?
he winces as she examines his naked form
suddenly shy in his voluntary exposure
he turns his head in shame
I have a hole too, you know
you wear it well
did you mend it yourself?
yes
many times
I have to sew it every day
with a little bone needle and heart strings
come here
let me look at you
he enters the bathtub and stands facing her
in unison they slip down into the water
sitting with torsos and arms above
legs intertwining below
do you mind?
she begins to pluck at the strings
working them out of his skin
tenderly tugging out his past
passionately pulling out his memories
who did this to you?
I did
she finishes extracting the threads
and leans back in confusion
I know
he smooths the cotton cloth around her tattered tear
streaking out a sterling snowstorm
dying the warm liquid a swirling scarlet
he warily washes off her past
carefully cleanses off her memories
I want to give you something
you can do with it what you want
she watches closely as he
digs his fingers into his chest
leaving the gash gaping
fear invades her taciturnity
how can you trust me?
he nudges open her drooling cavern
and sets his heart in her cage
you found me
he snatches a clean heart string
snaps off a new splintered bone
you saw me
she grips the marble sides
now pink with their leaking ichor
you felt me
he threads the imperfect ivory needle
and presses it lightly into her skin
you heard me
he stitches her closed
sealing it with a kiss
but I’ve nothing for you…
my heart has gone missing!
no it hasn’t
she furrows her brow
new tears
pure tears
escaping
you gave it to me already
he dips her fingers into him
when you woke me