Do Not

Do not bend my road

towards the salt ocean

ever weeping 

do not puff up black clouds

to cover the horizon 

so I can’t navigate 

the curving path

when I go to run

my heart is sick

it is so heavy 

it feels like a bomb

about to tear me 

into pieces 

and my anger 

has surged like

lava in the cone

full to bursting 

I’ve had someone 

hold me by the arm 

before to keep me

from running 

fingermarks can bruise

they can leave traces 

where the blood 

wicks it’s way 

beneath the canvas

of skin

I am already dead

I am already dead

that’s how I can be safe

that’s how it will not 

matter what you

do to me.