lust

I lay on the ground, my hands
under my chin. the blades of
grass sway as the breeze
tussles them.
liberated
(from my subconscious)
a lightbulb; a sigh of relief.

gluttony

I held their face with my hands, touching their dimples. My fingers trace their chin and move down to their neck like a paintbrush. They close their eyes. I trace their stomach, starting on the outside; I observe them like a landscape, following their breaths. I continue down.
The lights turn off, we face each other
“you can’t see me, but I’m smiling.” I believe them.

greed

I felt God. not The One I grew up accustomed to—our Father which art in heaven. no man was in my presence: this god did not make me say a prayer—Lord forgive me for I have sinned—for the dreams I awoke from.
she’s the one who lets me breathe and cry when I read something beautiful.

sloth

it hits me in transitions from point a to b, a lurch in my stomach. I stare at the ice cream section in the grocery store. I read each flavor slowly in my head.

“Wrong time,” they said
Wrong person, I could’ve sworn they whispered

wrath

hands clutch the hot, black steering wheel
the shrillness of my voice reverberates.
fears materialize into our realities.

envy

they dart their eyes away from me as I stroke their head,
the twin bed keeping our bodies close together.

pride

[I learn best when im trying to heal]