i am chasing you down
an alley way, the slap of
my shoes echoing up the
shoots,

standing in front of your bike
your head tilted back, a toothpick
wobbling up and down between
your teeth, hold a blank
stare, jaw slowly working
i think i should slip between
your handlebars like a siren on a ship

speedwalking backwards-- stop, stop
in front of your door, head tucked
the railing catching a fall
and then wanting to
fold myself into
an origami butterfly
when you launched
off the couch and used
a voice no one has ever

I don't fully cry
until you mutter
jesus ******' christ
slip off the recliner
and hold me.