The Weight of Unfeeling

by Nicholas Shields

a bullet for a bluebird
staring at the moon alone
with cuts and salt

drowned out with cigarette smoke
and burnt through whiskey
the glow does not reach anymore

do not stare for too long
for it does not belong to you
as your skin cannot be seen
covered in the idea of a man

death before death,
become unfeeling
as your forefathers did

unfurl at night,
with blood on the walls
madness is what the ceiling sees
as music plays to suffocate thought
my rot is not your fault

mother,
i’d like to die

like a bird in a cage,
unable to fly and
envious of their wings

i look to
the belt that hangs
it is better to be colored red than grey

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Nicholas Shields is a 24-year-old male from Australia who completely lacks the ability to show emotion to the people he loves.