Gremlin Music

The gremlin in my chest
twists memories into strange shapes
a song I can touch
notes like jagged glass in my palm

Melody hangs in the air
thicker than smoke
sweeter than poison

Music is a solid thing
heavy as the years I've dropped behind me
like breadcrumbs
hoping something will find me
carry me back to where candles don't melt

The flame eats time
I stopped doing the math
but I'm hungry for a dawn
that doesn't taste like ash

There's a bird outside my window
sings each morning like it's new
stupid little creature
I want to pluck its hope
wear it like a locket
swallow it whole

Maybe I already have

--Vera