My Cardboard Balcony

All By Myself by Belinda Roddie lying naked on top of the covers I am exposed to wandering hands and wandering feet finding every bump and divot on the road of my skin my personal topography eroded by personal touch I am alone and afraid even when you are here even when your breath stings the rims of my nostrils I am alone and afraid feeling the June breeze against my nipples I hope to God that you won't come home tonight that you'll be too drunk to find your keys or too smitten with the bartender to leave before five AM the calm is uncommon I embrace the reality of silence I am alone now but not afraid it makes a world of difference when you aren't here to stifle my own flesh I am alone now but not afraid

Two, three, four butterflies settling on flower stems and drinking their blood supply. Look at those beautiful, ravenous beasts! So fragile, and yet such a vibrant display. Now they flutter to the window and unfold their wings. You can see the fake eyes from the other side of the room. Are they watching you or not? Somehow, you're having a difficult time discerning reality from illusion.