begin now inside,

BEE LB

sharp creek and unsteady
footing, unneeded and
harsh comfort / sly smile,
broken windows, missing bricks
leaving holes like gap teeth

where did it all go?

new cars alongside dilapidated
houses / who’s here, in this, our
house no longer ours? / who’s
this,

placing wool in that, my
bedroom window?
look there, our
tree shot through
with lightning
heat / stunted growth but still
living

there’s something i could say / here
i won’t, what would be the point?

look here, these stairs i dream of,
crawl up, stumbling / drunk metal
biting / open the door with a kiss
curling fear / it was all so much

bigger / and now look, so small
and monstrous / where did it all
go?

it’s still here / all here
i’m here / but
not

a coat of paint, rusted sheets
the window he jumped out of / look
there, no / the house i dream of
unseen / i knew him once, can’t
find him now / can’t stand the sight

old fears unforgotten / unsteady bed
too small to crawl under

that’s not what this is about / but
it could easily be / still, look here,

the hint of beauty only barely tainted

don’t look close / let your eyes
glaze over and see what they want
to see / need is no factor / truth
unbecoming / see here, it’s just

as big
as it used
to be

---

BEE LB is a writer creating delicate connections. they have been published in Crooked Arrow Press, Red Queen Literary Magazine, Badlung Press, Capsule Stories, and Local Honey Midwest.

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