You Can Try.

You can try to kiss the gunpowder off my lips.
As I remember the day it failed to go off.
The smell will remind you of bibles burning.
The taste a charcoal river on your tongue.

Try and erase the scars from my body.
As I remember the fears that put them there.
Try and wipe the tear stains from my cheeks.
They are forever painted stairs.

You look into my sleepy eyes.
Cringe at my whiskey breath.
Flinch at the sight of my cigarette,
as it dangles from my quivering lips.

You hold my shaking hands.
You pretend you are not breaking.
You try to wash the fingerprints from my body
as I remember his name.

you can hold my bloody fists back from the wall
As the cracks slowly demolish me.
I carry the trauma in my vocal chords.
Try to turn it down.

You can hold my shaking body.
I'll lay nearly lifeless in your arms.
My body has been broken.
But you continue to hold on.