Squeezing melons, shaking in lineTelling myself I’ve got the timeI’m okay, I’m okay, yeah that’s a lieHe stands out there holding his signSoup and Salad, no meat on his bonesSoup and Salad, lost the way homeHe’s the father, he’s the brotherHe’s the lover that made anotherHe’s the sun, he lit […]
Month: July 2025
He Had a Face I Could Always Forgive
He had a faceI could always forgive,but he never .-Melissa Donley
The Saints Took Up Smoking
A card or a bladeTo finely mince,Separate seed and bud,Pack and roll in paper,Lick and seal,Pinch and twist the ends,Hemostats if clips are too bougie,Or raw pawBetween two fingers,Light up, drag deep, hold,Hold,Hold,Release.When we slaughtered the lamb,And left the flesh to rot,And the coat to mat,And the blood sticky across […]
Torrent
I am sticky rice and toothsome sauce,dripping morsels,seared yet tender,falling apart on your tongue,a torrent on every bud,the maddening compulsiondominating your days,and your nights,leaving you fisted,growling in your sheets.-Melissa Donley
Before Midnight
Can we waltz aroundthis fading almosta moment more?Please?We are a breathand a blinkbefore midnight,and your scars areso damn beautiful.I won’t touch,unless …-Melissa Donley
Handsome Thief
While his eyes steal cookiesfrom the jars I fill,I watch his hands,and just maybe,he could take me, too.-Melissa Donley
Canaries in the Coal Mine
Neurodivergentsare thecanaries in the coal mine.Did we forgetwe are all in the coal mine?-Melissa Donley
I Want It All Back
Deftly,you forgot where you left me,then you forgot me entirely.I want my sparkle back.Every birthday celebrated andbuttress of encouragement,all the ounces of grace given andkind words spokenbehind closed doors,you didn’t earn any of it.It’s mine andI want it all back.-Melissa Donley
You Win.
We’re on day 2 of the heat advisory,but you left me out in the coldmonths ago.Born and bred in fire,it’s the freezing silence that kills.Congrats. You win.Do you feel like a man now?My bags are packed andI’m waiting for my train.You can tell Dadwhat his golden boy did.-Melissa Donley
Movies and Marshmallows
If I knew you,I’d curl up andwatch movies with you.I’d kiss your beautiful headand give you tissueswhen you weep.I’d also throwmarshmallows at you.Big Ones.Because I can’t hold backwhen you are sucha lovely target.-Love, Melissa