Bleeding trees

The trees are bleeding

a thick, sweet substance

and I am bleeding

memories, friends, and love

what precious gems we release

back into the world

setting the path behind us ablaze

~

It was the price of entry-

his price, my cost

would you understand if I tried

to explain?

our connection

even tenuous and distanced as it had

to become-

platonic,

is still too risky for his fragile,

insecure heart

(I might have revealed too much of our past)

~

I resist the urge to pull

up your smiling photo:

a boy's bright, soft curls contrasting

next to yours

two beautiful souls

I watch the flame work its

way down to my fingertips

waiting for the breath of release

from my own mouth

that never comes

then drop it behind me

pretending I don't feel the heat

~

The trees are bleeding

liquid gold

and I am bleeding

memories, love, and hope

we are bleeding ourselves dry

wishing the world will taste

the sweetness

and forgive the destruction

we've left behind