Just Shy of Sure

by Elizabeth Stokes

Love in memory
Was a plague that consumed me
Shifted all my priorities
Things I'd die to keep
Swept through all that I hoped to reap
God, I loved how it ruined me

I have kept the hurt
Buried deep into winter dirt
I watch at night when the mound stirs
This is not the burn I've known
It's an ache in my every bone
Maybe you want to be alone
Maybe I...

My head is aching
But if I keep very still
I might be able
To make this work until
The end of the weekend
Weak, but I'll pretend
That you still want me
I'm the one you adore
But I'm just shy of sure

When do things suffice?
Can you be happy all your life?
Do you think it can happen twice?
Maybe that's a swing
Hey, you can't win without entering
Are you cool to lose everything?
Roll the die