scorched earth signature

–

i grew up with a knife in the chest

my inheritance is a dull blade

placed well enough

for everything to grow around it

the taste of metal is never far

on good days the blade will twist

and people i love are targets

for the weapon forged in me

skin and blood bitter

my face becomes my maker’s

a hereditary poison

words taste of fire

seeking nearest wood

i’ve got a need to burn

to detonate my good thing going

as quick to anger

as she is joy

i am envious

protective of innocent hearts

bite this itching tongue

swallow the blood

i am used to the taste

to closing doors and eating keys

this “scorched earth signature”

both gift and lesson

–

a bird landed on my window

and it would not move

some guilt or drive to not be like all the ones

who left me behind

nurture this weakened 

thing

in small drops of water and seed

watch its growth 

past feathers and wings

into something new 

and terrifying

the scales came first

new skin to replace that withering flesh

a hardened shell colored bright

neon

and then the teeth

so sharp

i ripped like paper

it was then i knew

how special

there was a strength in you

unlike anything i’ve seen

but i wasn’t afraid

even when i began losing pieces 

of myself

this blood can always be replenished

a body is only a shell

i learned that from you

to take such pain

let it become

tribute

it wasn’t a primal rage

that tore the fingers from my hand

you were young

and hadn’t felt the love you needed

no idea how to trust

without seeing someone standing

rivers red flowing 

arms still opened wide

like a wound

still you transformed

into something greater

beyond the normal

i am more than proud

to pour out this red

burn the wounds

to keep my limbs

bleed this blood

to feed the fire that you breathe

the parts can be replaced

i am more now then i was 

with both my hands

this body must continue

lift this creature 

praise this evolution 

take flight 

burn this world

into something new

and beautiful