I surely must be that
woman you speak of
who calls herself an artist
when she is obviously not
who’s makeup is horrifying
and has an opposition to pants

when really

she makes art
which makes her an artist
and she loves the fact
that others enjoy
when she wears that makeup
because of compliments
and doesn’t wear pants
because her boyfriend likes it

so greetings
I am that woman

You're are preserved in
my thoughts of later dates
where I am fully bloomed
and independent
and you are a working man
with a steady income
I see us living together
and saving for another place
and I see spring buds
in our arms
that we created
and can now keep
and one day we will be
gray together
and your face will be scruffy
and you will not care
and I hope that I can do it again
in heaven

I lay here
barefooted
and my pants will loosen
and begin to fall off
but I am alone in this
twin
under layers
but alone
and I lay on one side
and arch my back
and pretend your arm
is slung around me
close to my *******
and you'll hug me
it’s my favorite
and were close from the most
inappropriate angles
and you'll kiss my neck
and your body heat confuses me
because you are ever so warm
then I fall asleep
and its morning

I have never learned to love so much
as I have these purple fins
and whether they are
wide spread and masculine
or shriveled as they are
he is too perfect
and I may not touch him
as I would another
I feel him swim in the back of my eyes
and the back of my heart
and he snuggles his head between rocks
and recognizes my faces
and dances with adrenaline
and I have never loved
any fins more

For months you fed me
and I rejected
until I finally shriveled
and was left to die.
but in that state
I understood
and took in your offerings
and now may grow
and we may be parallel
   because now that I understand
   and don't mind occasional
   brushes with wind.

we can share pollen

with red ribbon around your finger
you are a man missing half a body.
but a man so perfect
with his other half next to him
with the other half of ribbon.

but who could have created a man
so perfect
but a higher power.
and you have inspired me
to talk to God.

sit next to me on wooden benches
and listen to sweet sermons.
hold my hand now
but tighter in prayer.
because I feel closer to God
than I ever have before.
and though I know not of Heaven
I know your faith is true.

and every night I lay still
and pray so gratefully
because God has not cut our red ribbon
and has given me one like you
to forever hold on to

tell me love confessions
of how you miss me
and love me
and are doubtless
then your words
materialize
a sugarless sweet
calorie free taste
and there is but no
sweeter satisfaction