can it be that

everything had been soft before.

but it has all transpired

in such a way

that the corrosion

of brittle hearts

has hardened

its first fingertips

born from love.

if my rust fell apart

and the sun

could eat me away

like the moon

and only my howl

for peace from this soreness

would remain

no more selfish fingers

no more corrosive saliva.

could i call myself gentle

again.

be soft with me

i beg.

be soft.

be gentle

and pleading.

caress paint

not yet dry

it is at its softest.

be gentle with

what spills

from your tongue,

it is like polished

whiskey.

drunk on anger

and the reality of

hardness.

be gentle with me

be soft.

i want to carry you

like sand.

i want you to spill

into my palm.

drink starlight

until dawn

and be gentle.

be soft.

absorption

is a fallacy.

you will still

feel impact.

you will still

want to corrode

you will still

want to weep

blood.

but be gentle.

be soft.

think of blue

think of the

rain in

a heartbeat.

think of light

and its loving

of the darkness'

victims.

think of branches

that grow to live

amidst the calamities

of humankind.

the fruit they bear

after.

be soft.

be gentle with me.

i will carry you

like a cloud.

you will feel me

with you.

but you will feel free.

be gentle.

be soft.

be gentle.

be soft.

this world

hates that

the most.

more than

it hates

drunk

needless

anger.