burning alive.

You tell me that you’re happy
and use flowery words that are desperate for acceptance.
But I can’t accept this.
The stories are only half told as you sugar-coat your indiscretions,
making them seem so innocent and naive.
I can see through them,
and I can see through you.
Slowly, but surely you’ll begin to fade,
wasting away for the sake of your sin.
I hope that it’s worth it,
and when you tell me that it was
I’ll see the truth in your eyes.
But, for now, I’ll feign happiness,
for our sake and not let you know
that with every sigh you breathe,
every caress of the skin,
I’m burning.

the riverwalk.

Jazzy notes and harmonies hit my ears.
A perfect addition to the brisk winter air,
as we voice our hopes and dreams.
The city lights never looked as beautiful
as they do now.
A screaming ember glows red at our fingers' end,
crackling and hissing with every breath we take.
It's nights such as these that I hold tenderly
within the recesses of my memories.
But we know that as soon as this song stops
and your engine roars, this is over.
Back to our lives, back to the books,
a further reminder of why we strive to get out of here.