place callus palms on chest
like an irreverent prayer
pray for someone to love
pray for symmetry
pray to be touched
by an angel in reverse

***
Really I feel more pain like this, left untouched. Despite red marks on my skin left from the heat of my
palms, despite the violent image the hyperpigmentation has painted on my chest. Although, the mark
sort of looks like a backwards butterfly, or perhaps an angel. Though, I find peace in the symmetry,
gazing at my reflection through the glass pane.
I stare at her, staring at me, staring at them, staring at nothing.

And all the while hands are clutching my chest, callus palms melting from my
lungs. Like I'm yearning for something that has been lost.
Like I'm holding myself together before I shatter, or worse, dissolve.
But really my violence has never felt such peace.

place callus palms on chest
like an irreverent prayer
pray for someone to love
pray for symmetry
pray to be touched
by an angel in reverse
pray for nothing at all.