all our crimes

there are stars in our eyes,
i think, from when our ancestors
prayed to the sky for us.

look what we have done
to our beautiful mother.
look what i have done.
see her blood under my fingernails
and weep for her, please,
weep for her and our father.

i stole the sun because they
told me it would bring sleep, but
now the moon cries for her.

i stole the time that was meant
for forgiveness because i’ve already
spoken the words too many times,
they are spilling from my mouth,
like blood from an open wound.

i say that we did it, all of us,
slowly destroying our futures with
bitter drinks and mindless smoke,
but i have always been too scared
to wreck myself.

i am a horrible coward,
a dog who comes when is
called, but never seems to
learn from her mistakes.

it’s sad, really,
your tears for me.

now i am going to bed
upset, the moon screaming in my ear,
blood burning into my fingernails,
your tears on my lips,
and my thoughts staining my pillow
with blood, wishing i would just
wake up.