The Forest That Grew From a Lie

I told them she ran away.

I didn’t say how the argument ended,

or how the river didn’t keep secrets.

The forest grew overnight.

Twisted trunks. Teeth in bark.

Leaves whispered her name like it hurt.

Is it wrong that I loved the thought?

Roots crawl into my room at night.

Dirt under my nails when I wake.

Petals blooming from my throat.

Birds don’t sing here.

They watch.

They know.

She’s part of it now,

her breath in the wind,

her blood curdling scream in the branches.

And when I lie again, I’ll think of her…

and I’ll laugh.

I buried the truth,

and I loved every second of it.