Do not return my old salvation.

There is no such thing

as a soft desperation, a gentle impale.

The forest suffocated each tree,

folding in on itself.

A blasphemous smothering,

those fires thickly silent.

In the flight of blackbirds

I bid a vengeful migration,

all belonging undone.

You had begged me to stay,

your sanctuary; a nest in my heart.

But I shot all of the birds out of the sky,

my bullets, my teeth.

I let it out,

daring to open my mouth

and declare freedom

with a toothless smile.

Charlotte Hoang (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist, drawn towards all things art-related such as the fine arts, music, writing, and photography.