It’s cold               without you             
and I’d rather           you left me raw
curl against you          I’ll try not to scream    
watching you smile        as you rip away my skin
I think it’s nice               it’s really hell         
I start to dread           being alone
every second without you     A BLESSING  
I say I want you          gone from my life
After you kiss me         I am a hollowed-out shell
I smile through           so much pain
our curtain of hair         burning, burning
This is perfect               anguish

Calvin Jones is a queer student focused on short fiction, poetry, and the occasional play. Their dog is a menace and their hair is a nightmare. Besides writing, they participate in performing arts, rock climbing, and an improv troupe.