you begged me to love you.

i looked at you with twisted eyes as my mouth whispered

into your neck, "you don't want this poison."

you took five steps toward the bed and looked five steps back.

you don't want this poison.

 

my pockets were filled with pennies that i collected

each time you asked if it was time.

but the clock on the wall stopped ticking

and i never meant to have this much change.

the pay phone kept ringing and you kept asking.

i traced onto your back, "you don't want this poison."

 

because sunsets and coffee aren't enough for me.

i looked at love as a bouquet of daggers.

you looked at love with a light in your eyes, begging to feel it.

 

i needed a man who was already broken.

someone who already had the pieces of his heart stitched back together.

i needed a man who had lost love and was ready to try again one last time.

 

a girl like me would destroy you.

you don't want this poison.

 

a.k.