call it a siren, a hungry cat, anything that’s learned to imitate a crying child to get what it needs.

My lover who is here is here.

What wouldn’t you do to be held? Don’t tell me you’ve never taped shut your own mouth.

Bury the boys who look like your brother and wrap yourself around a picket fence to whom you will only ever be a dream.

What if sadness is the secret to everything?

but i’ve been watching from the slaughterhouse ever since you named me edible.

& i was still an insect scuttling over the ruins of battles i hadn’t fought.

What if my heart goes deaf?

We are all dutifully practicing our deaths.