have you ever
seen the inside
of a turtle’s
throat?

a nightmare
of jagged hooks
compressing
with each
contraction
tearing soft
flesh to ribbons.

curse this
abhorrent anxiety
swallowed whole
by a snapping
turtle,

alone in this
endless night
of my own
accord.

the last words
still coalesce
a barbwire
noose
lovingly crafted
an exit
sorrowfully given
to a runaway soul
because i
love her too
fucking much
to hold on
when she wanted
to be free.

my mad love
a turtle’s throat
grinding hope
into a sludge of
silent refusal,

every flaw
a jutting spike
rending
her attentions
elsewhere.

forgotten
in a shell of
my own creation.

still
the fool
scribbles on.