We Were Young

we are reckless with each other
because we are young and we don't know yet
how damage can last, how it can grow and spread
and unfurl through a life like the roots of a tree
finding its way through the dirt. for now, it's a way
to amuse ourselves, playing games using each other
as discolored stand-ins for who we really wish was
holding our hand. this will do for now because
we are young and we haven't found a way to be brave
about being alone so we use each other in awful ways
and laugh when we wake up and give it a rest until
the weekend rolls around again and our beds feel
so desperately empty that we have to fill them.
this will do for now, but not much longer.

my body doesn't know how to be a body
without constant reminders.

I swallowed love whole like a peach,
juice dripping down my face.
the pit is rotting in my stomach
and here I am.