by Madeline Lee
I’ve seen that face before
That slick slapstick smile
The slow glint to the eyes
Splitting teeth
Rectifying broken dreams
Lips curled to the right
Lopsided
But I’ve seen that face before
Punch drunk red-rimmed eyes downcast
Count broken bones and brokenness
Count stars and startled hearts
Ugly bruised mouth gone tight-lipped
Quiet
As you pull yourself together
Again
But know that I have
Seen that face before
Damaged, uncomfortable, unfortunate, undeserving
Something filthy this way comes
A tome of dark desires and bad weather
Blood, dust and rust
Monuments to heartache
Something filthy always leaves a stain.