30 Poems, 30 Days

Happy National Poetry Month, everybody! I'll be writing one poem a day this month. Hopefully I'll remember to post what I've written.

April 1

When the boy you loved too much asks for your darkness, do not laugh.

Tell him you plucked your heart from prescription pill bottles,

filled the hole in your lungs with a therapist’s armchair.

When he asks how to care for the nighttime, answer in astronomy.

consider telling him that midnight’s speckled shimmers are better antidotes to depression 

than bright blue daytimes.

Teach him to chart his own constellations,

see Jupiter reflected in his pupils,

increase your distance and watch him from telescopes.

When this comet of a boy enters your orbit again,

do not spoon feed him sunlight.

Show him the stars.

April 2
forgive stomach symphonies
in empty lunchrooms
swallow your shame