what faceless bureaucrat wears so gray a uniform gray as the paper mask inhabited by hornets molded in a spiral around its single dire orifice a sump that swallows all assumptions an eyehole that shuts like some toddler god thinking we’ll all just vanish under sheets of rain

Dave Bonta

Eyecup

The blue plastic eyecup of my mote-ridden boyhood still sits on the top shelf behind the bathroom mirror, at eye-level now. I remember how good cool tap water felt after the hot tears, tilting my head all the way back & willing my eyelid to open, & afterwards feeling the scar & the scare recede from that bit of grit, but also a lingering sense of guilt for letting

Dave Bonta

Exam

Jot or tittle? Eye or eye-drop? Hole or window? Explain. Make yourself uncomfortable. What is it? How many legs does it have? Is it woody or chitinous? You are a cat. No, not you— you are nothing like a cat! Help us find the cat. What would you tell time? What would you read to books? Invent a ceremony for

Dalilahshigaraki

The Reasons I like You

I kinda like your eyes. They shimmer like the stars. I really love your voice, Cause I'm the only one who gets it. Your hair looks really soft, Maybe soon you'll let me touch it? You haven't called me weird yet, Which a lot of people do. We both like random music, So I'd love it if we jammed. You said your siblings were annoying, Mine are like that too. Even with the mask on You have a pretty face. And when your eyes scrunched cause you smiled I felt my heart begin to race.

Dalilahshigaraki

Confession

So uh... You know how I said you were pretty? That was mostly to see how you'd react. And your reaction- Confused amusement- It made me happy. Actually, that might just be you? You kinda make me happy. More happy than anyone else I've talked to. I think it's because you never look a me like everyone else does- Like I'm just a bug that they wish would go away. And-as much as I dislike it (I'm used to it when I'm in trouble. Never anytime else)- You actually look me in the eye. My family doesn't even do that. Or maybe it's how you don't make fun of me

Dalilahshigaraki

I'll Admit That I'm In Love

Do your eyes follow me The way mine follow you? I know sometimes you watch me, I don't really mind, you know. Since the day we started talking My smile's almost always on. And I see you smiling too So let's make a pact to never be alone. You think before you answer, Which lets me know you hear. Cause I'm the middle child so nobody cares to see Just what it is I'm thinking But you listen to me. I'm glad we had that fire drill, The one that gave me the courage to talk to you. Cause you've become the best part of everyday

Describe a feeling — we’ll find a poem

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