I spilled ink on a white dove
folded it neatly,
pressed it in an envelope,
and sealed it with a kiss -
making sure to spread my saliva all over its open lips.

On the front I wrote your name,
but I practiced it a dozen times
(call it a baker's).
I put mine in the corner
and coaxed it towards the center.

I took it to the post office
and woke in the morning with the receipt
tattooed on my chest
along with the look on the clerk's face
when I asked for the insurance
on an envelope painted red.

But, dear, I think she messed up
because I waited but never heard the beating
of bird wings in my mailbox again.