I think I have to be good

Check the boxes and qualify

Every step on my good girl walk

Brings me nearer to earning a place

Arriving at yes, arriving at rest.

Travel travel travel

The road of thank you for having me

Thank you for being here

Hold my hand when I tell you

There is no arrival.

There are bones in the wood;
cracking, groaning, shattering.
The skeleton of what could
Have
            Been

There are bones in the wood;
whistling, wailing, whispering.
The skeleton is not pure—not good
It
            Still
                        Has
           ­                         Flesh

It's been a while, hasn't it?

I sometimes wonder
If you remember me at all,
Beneath your stressful days
And endless nights.

Do you remember me?

I have hidden here,
Waiting
Just for you.

Because I am you.

You are not the girl I used to know,
Not the one you used to be.
But that's okay,
I have changed too.

Have we both grown by leaps and bounds?

I wish you all the best,
But please
I beg of you.

Do not forsake me.

Well, "happy" is not on my mind!

I'd like to shut it off, this stress,
But its switch I am yet to find.

A sitch that sets me awful vexed-
Turns tan to teal on held-in breath-

While sinking into tar-pit depths-
Shall I smile and say, 'Yeah, I'm fine'?