The Fire We Make

I can't help but recall
The way our bodies collide,
When infinite chemistry erupts
Without warning or inhibition.

We conjure deep pleasures within,

Every shudder a revelation,

Every sigh a confession

Every mission accomplished,

You are a vision of a man,

Fine! And well equipped,

With clinical technique,

Too legit to quit.

For the fire we make

Burns with wild desire;

Though the flames may singe,

They’ll rise again, higher and higher.

- Sarah Kenyi © 2025

Stockholm Syndrome

I will stay with you

Because leaving you feels like failure

Like loss of a love I am yet to know

A love I’ve been longing for

Your sweet nothings 

Are proof enough

They make me forget the times you violate me

Or how you manipulate me

You hurt me

…But this is not abuse…

Relationships are difficult 

Highs and lows are inevitable

Pleasure and pain go together 

And contrary to what they say 

You’re not neglecting me 

I need to give it time 

To give you time 

Away from me 

So you can refill your cup and love me 

You do love me

And you need me

And you know how I can be sometimes

I’m stubborn and I also have a temper

Besides, the make up sex is great

And the highs are electric 

Fire! Like The-Dream’s Falsetto 

Ecstasy! A premonition of what could be

A beautiful fantasy!

So I will stay with you

Clinging to you 

To the hope and promises of change 

And the delusion that this bondage 

I mean that this bond… is true

• Sarah Kenyi © 2025

Grey Clouds

Grey clouds form shadows that crawl across my skin
These clouds don’t wait for thunder
They’re breaking within
Still, I trek in the pouring rain
Hoping to make progress again and again

They say, “Slow down, take a break”
But I’ve been wired to smile through the pain 

And call it corporate gain

It’s a game 

And you can’t hate the players 

The boss demands sunshine and clear skies

So work harder 

And be cunning - cut-throat even

You’ve got a job to do

You are blessed with a job to do

Shut up! And be more grateful 

This pressure to constantly perform is a product of fear
Fear of rejection, of losing love and acceptance once earned
Fear of confrontation, and the guilt that gnaws when I dare to set a boundary
Fear of my own power

And so I continue to wear the mask
While choking subtly under the pressure
Trying to prove my worth
Trying to prove I deserve more
Trying to appease my foes

While betraying me

Is the trade-off worth it?

I’ve forgotten how to be free.

• Sarah Kenyi © 2025