These poems—
but layers of paint
over the same dried wall,

trying to catch your gaze
as you walk by
to live your life away.

Be it day, rain, or autumn,
I hope this color
suits you today.

Bodies in communion,
Bible’s spine snaps
as sin coils at her ankles.

Hunger no prayers can sate,
daughter willingly falls.

A white crown graces,
as your rosary
loses warmth on the floor.

Met at grief’s scale,
sized up our pain’s weight.

We swung eye to eye,
Your infectious smile—
carved from rot and decay.

I gave it to you,
It dragged you down,
And I fell there with you.

Will you shiver, stand,
meet my gaze, hide your smile,
drive me mad with your laugh?

Leave bruises on my mouth,
rest your face in my hand,
veil us from a night,

That could never be ours?

Your howl cuts the distance,
no reason to run—,
I am after you, now.

My knife cannot cage,
your wild, toxic scent,
blade knelt at your throat.

My heart will go,
fucking hungry tonight.

Rain cuts like glass,
your raven-dark hair,
our only shelter

Nature’s voice swallows,
heartbeats whole,
Your gaze unknown

I lit a cigarette,
our cold lips met in it,
passion warms raw