please dont lie
i make you see and taste and hear mud
i stain your plum-perfect existence

i of knees and elbows
not suited for your world
in your i’s break porcelain
laugh too hard
and smile too loud

i spirited lollypop
on your dry stuck-up tongue
you cough me up

i sunrays on sundays
and fiestas on mondays
and wildfire through my tributaries

i spicy thick warm wine
dancing and shouting
expanding

you?
you sick pallor
you suffocate in your bitter skin

you winter without christmas
thirsty turkey with no gravy

i stain you mustard