Pale Red Petals

Pale red petals

in her hair,

dancing.

They pull

at the eyes of his skin.

Through the silver cage

of his window

they stare.

The breath of red

fills his cage,

passing over his skin

like her sweet lie.

He reaches—

touches them

tenderly.

They touch back,

brushing the pulse

in his fingers,

glancing off his ribs

and slipping away.

But inside the silver cage,

inside his chest,

he holds the inhale

of pale red petals

with quiet acceptance.