october streets are cold
noses drip into our kiss
another smack seasoned of yesterday
trace of salt, a premonition
preparation for the tears
i will have to swallow
all the way home
all the way gone

i burn this block into my mind
buses, cement, river, bridges
a north wind brands my cheeks
as if red could keep me stranded

sandpaper lips
snag me back
brace me for the iron
i will scrape with my teeth
**** from my lip
keep from crying aloud
where the strangers might hear me

october streets are cold
but your shoulders are ice
i look back, twice
and i see them
and i hate that
kissing
was the only way you knew
to wave goodbye