Thanks For Understanding

An old crush

became my other half

overnight. He and I laced

hearts in woodland but forgot

to tie off each end.

//

So my shock should've

been slight when a white ray cut

night and landed on

his skin. It began to flake off

like aged paint and underneath

was the body of a wolf.

//

He rocketed away

on all fours, paws bruising

my heart case with flying dirt.

I stayed –

lips ajar,

laces frayed.

//

Night's blanket blinded

me until the trees decided

to glow. They arched

their spines into each other

as if possessed

by ballerinas and led me

//

down their hall.

At the end of it, bobbing

in a midnight pool

was family. A set of loose

Russian dolls.

//

My breath drooled

down my lips.

My legs malfunctioned.

A branch caught

my back and rubbed it in

soothing circles before flinging

//

me into the pool,

neglecting to count to three.

I sank – a giant

drill descending concrete.

//

I gazed up through a swelling

watery sky and saw my other half

hovering over my family and I. Dried rubies stuck

to his fur and I wondered

if we’d add to his

collection. He gulped

my thought and whispered

down the line of

our silly-strung hearts,

thanks for understanding.