Above the world was where I’d found you,

and you’d written to the trees

what it was like to feel abused

and never let anybody see.

Among the trees you’d dance in circles

and you’d throw leaves above your head,

you’d always been hungry to live as an artist

and beauty blew in with every word you’d said.

Above the world was where I’d found you,

and you’d lost yourself among the leaves.

The heartache, I knew would suffocate

and yet you’d always helped me breathe.

For a time we’d walked above the world

and together we’d helped each other grieve,

and I’d told you how my trees have been stripping

and you’d promised me you’d never leave.

Then you’d lay below the world

and you’d cover up all of your hurt,

and you’d tell me that I’d annoy you

as if I’d covered you in dirt.

Upon the ground was where I’d found you,

and I’d water the trees to make this work

but then the forest started flooding

and the dead leaves would float and lurk.

For a time I’d leave you floating

Though you’d cry out that nobody cares,

I’d sit on a branch and watch as

the current would spread your hair.

Above the ground was where I’d found you,

and you’d relax upon the surface,

I’d reach out to remind you that I’m there,

You’d tensed and broke the currents.

Among the trees you’d validate

that lie that nobody would ever love you

While I’d spent my days learning

That I might never know you.

Above the world you’d then retreat

back to where your heart would beat

back in circles of your laughter

and back to forgetting everything.

Back to dancing throughout the trees

and keeping time like nobody sees

you watch the clock until you could leave

and isolate emotion to finally breathe.

Above the world was where I’d found you,

and you’d lost yourself among the leaves.

The heartache, I knew would suffocate

and yet you’d always helped me breathe.

For a time we’d walked above the world

and together we’d helped each other grieve,

and I’d told you how my trees have been stripping

and you’d promised me you’d never leave.

Above the world is where you’re standing

on invisible stilts to fool the world

that you’re not quite as afraid of heights,

as if your heart had not been thirled.

Above the world is where you keep,

I’d watch you flutter in a twirl

Your eyes would wander, reminding me

that you’d never wanted the world.

For a time I’d thought we were similar

As we both would lie on the ground,

Only now I realize that life

through my eyes is a far heavier pound.

For a time I’d thought we were the world

that we were taxed equally by our hurt,

It was as if you’d healed faster

Although I’d been injured first.

But it was one time, I’d found we had some ease

and we’d write out how grateful we were to breathe

as if we were a tree to one another,

we were the bark that would stop the bleed.

Above the world was where I’d found you

and now I find the ground is all I’d need,

It might keep me down to earth

to realize that this is the world I see.