Cry for you when they’ve spoken too
harshly the night before
Their lungs are dark and tied up with
maroon ribbon that
makes their voices high and husky
Their sides bear scintillating scars
where they burned as a
small child
They make a habit of calling you
sweetheart when
you’re in trouble
Forget your ice-picked skin
and your sins
after just four months of
calling you
beloved
And always, always
rise up
no matter how many times
they fall…
Royal Rose 