“that one about feeling alive and wanting to live” by Autumn Moss

i never really liked strawberries but now i think they’d feel at home on my tongue

he likes ice cold drinks with the same sweet feminine flavor

i like to lay in the grass on a soft blanket shirtless with the rays of sunlight kissing my chest

the sun isn’t repulsed by the scar tissue and neither is he

once you see the red rawness of an open wound you never forget it except when you do

aloe stings my broken skin but only because my nerves are yelling out that they’re alive

people risk burns for a tan

my heart pumps my blood more forcefully now

a cool breeze blows across my chest just as i worry the sun may cause me to sweat

i’ll always be reaching out for something sweet to press against my lips but am surprised when i’m allowed more than a taste

i tell him my go to fruits are peaches and raspberries

there is dirt under my fingernails from digging a hole in which to plant the pit because taking care of things outside means that i might have it in me to take care of myself

i learn you can care for someone so much that they make you want to care for yourself

i never thought i’d want to live forever

my second favorite thing he’s ever done for me is sooth me as I was falling asleep by reading me some of their favorite love poems in his soft gentle voice

my favorite thing he’s ever done for me is smile