07032025 (pretty little fears)

fears with soft names but sharp teeth
pretty but clawing me in my sleep
skindeep it's sweet like perfume on the surface
scratch underneath, you see what the curse is
i've loved like a storm with nowhere to land
left good men with ghosts still clutched in their hands, hurting, 
hearts cold when they loved so warm
a pretty flower in the sun but i'm rooted in thorns
you reach for a bloom, something grips like barbed wire
arms full of light where darkness eats desire
ache to soften but brace for fire
what if i burn these beautiful hands that
hold me down, lift me higher?

good touch?
never knew it
warm palms grew teeth
and snarled through it
rough fingers
soft skin, soft
little girl, rough
nights that broke her in
raised voices
begot violence
gripped throat shut doors tight lips and
safe silence
clipped wings
cracked nest
afraid to settle, seeking a home, longing to rest. 

want you to see my best side
when i curl into your palms, speak 
the pain out of my chest, i'm
complicated, broken and wrong sometimes
scared to death, still hope i belong with you.
could i tell it like it is? these pretty little fears
let me tremble for a beat, let me be weary and weak
could this be music to your ears? into my ears will you speak
sweet boy, a pretty little harmony?