I still can’t shake

That moment

When I earned my scars

He tumbled down the hill

And I ran

Down that insipid hill

I followed his trail

I followed the wind

I followed the knife

I slipped

And I earned my grass stains

I grunted

And got up on my knees

He looked at me

And I earned my frown lines

“Don’t go!” I cried

And the tears came

His eyes were brown and glossy

Mine were blue and wet

“James” He whispered.

His shaking arms touched my cheek

And I felt that stupid spark again

“Don’t go!” I cried

His eyes flickered

Open, shut

Like a taunting butterfly’s wings

And I earned my wisdom

I leaned down and I whispered

A soft, silent command

“Don’t go, John.”

He leaned up and said,

“I don’t want to.”

And we confessed

Confessed our love

As he leaned higher

And I leaned lower

And our forbidden feelings finally showed

I kept my lips on his

Until he went limp

I dropped him and I sobbed

At the bottom of the hill

Where we earned the scars on our hearts