Untrust Him

he speaks of love
he speaks of nakedness
he speaks only the truth

he leads her gently, carefully
deeper closer
with each step
the breaths she exhales
draw velvet pictures in the fall air

he offers another cigarette
lights it
cupping hands, faces close
smile warmer towards the end
of the filter

and the ashes are flicked as they walk
upon the trail
the silouette of trees
the talk of birds and bees

hansel and gretel are long gone
laughing somewhere far
beyond buds and berries

and now there are only
broken dolls broken glass
used condoms
the wind interrupts
and like a moth to the light
a bird to the sky

she takes takes
refuge in his arms
if only for a moment

their faces match once again
and he moves another pawn forward
smiling

she tears herself from him in an instant
falling against the nearest tree in shock
blond hair frayed
eyes horrified, looking up around
at nothing but the dark sky

she realizes there is no escape
there is no witness

(if a woman screams
and there is no one round to hear it
does she still feel pain)

she clings the trunk,
looks to the man
who only watches steadily
as she reels

the bark fuses to her skin
she sinks into the ground
the ashes burn her skin
her mouth speaking no real words
echoing strangely like a dream

he plots another square for her

there is only one phrase
one question
that can be heard loud and plain
between her beaten hysteric sobs:

"Are you going to kill me?"

To which the man replies:

"I am sorry
so sorry
for everything I am."