By Chelsea Sanchez

Baby

I want to smash bottles

Against the wall

Plates splintered

On the hardwood floor

But I can’t bring myself

To care

You are the only one

Who can pull my strings

The only one allowed

To wind me up

So I can move and dance

And cry and love

But without you

I am only

A porcelain doll

Unblinking in the corner

Until I lay down to sleep

Nobody else can hold me

Together like you

The tape has stopped working

Paste is far too messy

There is loss thickening

My blood

Dust collecting in my hands

Mold growing on my ceiling

Letters piled behind the door

My legs are splayed apart

Sitting in front of

The television

Staring into the shadows

You left behind

Baby

Come home to me

And pick up all my pieces

With your own two hands

Please