Jordan Dashiell

I Couldn’t Tell You

CW: Abuse

We were made of 2 o’clocks AM and PM spent on highways Somehow you made time a construct How did you do it? I couldn’t tell you

You were made of tightlipped smiles Honesty behind pink cheeks Twiddling thumbs made life worth living How did you do it? I couldn’t tell you

And you were raised by wasps and thistles Rugburn, roadburn, sunburn too Child of tug-of-war and monsters Where’d he die? I couldn’t tell you

The flower left when you were five Her gardener’s love followed shortly after Your skin was softer than his palms Who hurt more? I couldn’t tell you

For years you thought they laughed at jokes At 12 you realized your mistakes were funnier Failure brought setup and punchline—never comfort How did you do it? Armentrout Runner Up

Jordan Dashiell

I couldn’t tell you

You were to the front and left Behind the Rachel that spoke too much Why did you wear turtlenecks in August? Why’d you mumble? I couldn’t tell you

You had the IQ of a dolphin Few know how smart they really are You brain would click and swim and jump What turned it off? I couldn’t tell you

I held you like your old man holds Miller Steadfast, loyal, and oh so precious Pigs will fly when you let me praise you So many compliments I couldn’t tell you

Romance was never for the kiss No desire or lust ever grew within me I only wished to hold and protect And it hurt because I couldn’t tell you

Greyness pushed you out of the sky And I was left without a compass I’ll never be mad, but God I’m angry Only artifacts Just a shell of you