YOUR LOVE FINDS ITS WAY BACK

[redcheekdays]

One day, it just showed up on my doorstep.
Honestly, I don't know how it found me again.

The last night we spent together, I lured it away

with a trail of breadcrumbs — a necklace
it swallowed one diamond at a time. Such a hungry

little bloodhound. I led it deep into the forest,

fastened its legs with twine. Dug a hole.
Said I will jump if you jump and it did

just like I knew it would. And now,

here it is again — on its submissive back,
its pink underbelly exposed — and I cannot say

I didn't want this. That I haven't waited

by the window. I sculpted your body
from the dust on the doorknob. I've hoarded

your name in my mouth for months. My throat

is a beehive pitched into the river. Look!
Look how long this love can hold its breath.

from Lies About Sea Creatures

[redcheekdays]

Sometimes, you just want
something so hard you have to lie about it,
so you can hold it in your mouth for a minute,
how real hunger has a real taste.