galatea

other people go about trying to get you to flinch

to crack a smile

to magick an amused snort out of your stone facade.

they don't look at

the veins standing out in your cheeks

or the way your hair feels like you haven't washed it in days.

i should switch your shampoo.

they brag about hearing your laughter

but only because they don't hear it often.

they crow about seeing your smile

only, it is a fixed sight in my world.

i can see past the outside of stone

and see the naive, broken wonder inside.

you don't know anything.

i want to protect you, from those who are only here

for your false smile, your fake laughter.

i am here for you.

and so every time they brag, "i have coaxed a smile out of stone!"

i can congratulate them, smile gently

and know that i am pygmalion

i have brought the stone alive.