old souls

in billows of smoke

I waited--

in pools of fears

I drank--

she took a sip

and she took a drag

and I took a glance

and I tore myself away

she's an Old Soul

and I'm a heart in a cage

mixed signals and alien rage

she's an Old Soul

and I'm a blank nametag

tangled feet and sleeping bags

fires burn, I fall apart

I wished--

friends leave, trickle out

insist--

her mouth spun tautology

but I hung on every word

stale guitar strings

woke up every bird

she's an Old Soul

I'm another dart in the board

she plays with hearts, tugs the cords

she's an Old Soul

and I'm a fucking fool

legs dangling in dirty pools

I took a breath

I held all night

I took the hint

and swallowed hope--

she's an Old Soul,

and I'm a bed of coals,

lit in vain.

it's better than nothing.