For Matthew
by Celeste Smith

I wanted to
kiss the
bundles of stars
in your face

I wanted to
smooth the
rough edges of your
skin
weaved with mine
so full of
hidden pain
and
boyish innocence

I wanted to
melt into your
warm white walls

I didn't want to leave you

the heavens watched us
while we slept
in those cold
January nights

angels
full of
envy
above us

I suppose they
wanted you
to become
a fleeting blotch
of red
in my heart

I suppose
the whispers of
fate
decided to
change us

I didn't want to leave you

I always tasted the
sweetness
of your skin
as if for the last time

with gentle fingers
and sleepy eyes
we fell in love

I always tangled the
stars in your hair
I always kissed
the scars on your hands

as if I knew
we were going to
die

the angels have
you
now

the man I loved

and I have
sorrow
and
one million pictures of you

lodged in my chest