somewhere on a foggy distance,

i’m beckoned by a warm orange glow

opening its arms to me, softly, shining,

along a path of winding, spiraling sunbursts

and while i'd be more than happy to embrace--

(it'd be the safest i'd ever felt in my life)--

i can't help but feel trapped where i stand,

unable and unwilling to budge from where i am

yet the longer i sit and hesitate,

i feel the weight of roots begin to wrap 'round my feet

digging into my skin and into the ground to hold me still

drawing weak trails of blood down my flesh

and, yet, in this fear and adrenaline, i push forward

dragging myself through roots and thorns adorning me

flowers sprouting relentlessly across my legs and upward

spindling roots now tearing into my stomach

not only do i yearn for the sparks of ecstasy--

those invading, burning feelings in my head--

the irresistible coils of hold and release--

not only that, i yearn for you,

a scarlet diety inviting its arms to me,

waiting inches from my face, yet so far away--

its back pressed to mine in the fulfilling yet empty warmth,

catching his breath and my own right out of my lungs

whether i am simply a partner, or a many-night stand,

that doesn't exactly matter to me anymore--

for my desperation's grown too strong for it to matter--

i outstretch my arm to reach you, to grasp your hand,

and find myself tangled in roots, trapped in place,

bleeding from scratches and spikes and holes,

my eye clouded and tear-stained,

sunbursts growing at my very seams.