Keep me in your heart

If I leave you it doesn’t mean 

I love you any less

These trials and tests

They’ve gotten my best

My tongue‘s been exhausted from abuse 

Tied tight, chewed to a bruise

Trusting this is what’s best for you.

I wrote this one to apologize 

In case you peak your head out

And catch a glimpse, maybe

If you want to see if the chain still fits 

I can’t say I haven’t tried it on

It slides right off the wrist.

But that’s all said and done.

I wrote this one for all of you,

To visit me at Sunday’s best 

Barefooted in Eden’s dress

Stretched across that makeshift bed

Where you generously let me rest.

I won’t forget a single second 

Or a single strand of curls.

With every letter I write,

I will mean every vowel

In the time they were inscribed

But nothing is eternal 

You of all should know

You mortal men.

I’m too frightened to be a coward 

They’ve beaten out the lion

Forcing me to dance about 

Put em up! Put em up!

My mane may be tangled 

A madness of red flames 

But I’ll leave this pit a victor 

The prize tattered remains.

This is the last act 

The final gracious deed 

You can take the arms

The fingers, whatever you need

I’ll always be a haven for thee.

Leave my legs though

Intact and equipped 

I’ll never ask for your crutch.

But go on take the rest! Guilt free.

They were made for you not me.

Sometimes I want to relive 

All of our pointless meetings 

I want to sit and bask in it

No alternate ending 

No new approach 

I’d just give anything 

To hear the sweet secret 

Of your lips permitting speech

Even when you all speak at once.

Maybe not today 

Definitely not tomorrow 

But maybe there will be a light

Sweeping into your dark cluttered room 

And before you roll over

To allude the sweet kiss of shine 

Maybe you’ll stop and laugh

Allowing the memories to beam down 

And accept the warmth of the past.

Think of me sometime 

I’ll be thinking of you always.