I saw you see me.

I saw you walk away,

And followed you. Asked

For an embrace and

Called that shrug home.

There’s a starved intimacy

In me that reeks with a

Wide radius and makes

Every smile look like mother.

When those grins grimed,

I blamed that starvation.

Me. A hungry, selfish imp.

Too tired and proud to die.

Scooping a heart from my

Chest, I identify with the

Lonely thump. Held high. 

Away from who might shirk it.

---

Blayne Waterloo (they/she) is a horror writer and editor living in Georgia with their partner and loud pets. Their first collection, Bite Back, was published October 2025.