lost at 30,000 feet

I asked for your pain. You gave it to me. It’s time for my ‘what pains you project.’ ‘lost at 30,000 feet’ even on your best days you’re still flying coach sometimes with a window seat sometimes not you’ve finally leveled off cruising above the clouds but you don’t have the nerve to unbuckle; you …

slow rot and yet her daughter still loved her

I asked for your pain. You gave it to me. It’s time for my ‘what pains you project.’ ‘slow rot and yet her daughter still loved her’ betrayed by the body so less painful than disowned by the blood— you bore witness to years adopted siblings carried by their necks into your house; never was …

scream your coming in silence

  I asked for your pain. You gave it to me. It’s time for my ‘what pains you project.’ ‘scream your coming in silence’ you got an ache in dem bones dat you can’t chase for tryin’ but it ain’t nothin’ comparin’ to dat ole worn spot ‘cross the matting of your soul yeah it’s …

he knows she’s not the one

I asked for your pain. You gave it to me. It’s time for my ‘what pains you project.’ ‘he knows she’s not the one’ lunchbox in hand he gets to work toiling at a job he’s loved to hate while all the freeways to greater opportunity have closed around him. undeterred he eats his ham …

passed down from your mom

I asked for your pain. You gave it to me. It’s time for my ‘what pains you project.’ ‘passed down from your mom’ nudge your kids along to school, from home, through life keep their nest warm; it’ll be a long, cold flight but the kisses you place upon the yet creased skin of their …

he protects her little family always

Time for my #whatpainsyouproject project. To summarize, you privately share with me a pain or regret, and I do my best to find your words. All anonymous. Too many of us hurt in silence… ‘he protects her little family always’ oh baby i’ve guided your fingers as you dabbed away those tears; flesh never absorbed …

marionette

  I share the pain of another… ‘marionette’ within her aphotic stillness a stage clumsy in its creation awaiting hands to tear it down yet her fingers pluck always twine shadows of remembrance no final lines or curtain calls only manipulated limbs; lips belonging to another’s voice. #barflypoet #josephapinto #whatpainsyouproject – a poem for an …