wicker seashells,
split needles and coral and ***** and ocean slugs
we have love the size of beetle shells

sometimes the sky looks like a rose
stir nectar against my teeth,

I am afraid I am not a good person when you sleep
my shy petals close up,
need to pluck everyone else’s off

get naked
I cannot kiss you between these bars

lines of streetcar dust on your face, is five o’clock
shadow five o’clock martini
an umbrella for ice that will melt

make your petals shy too
I don’t know what I want but to protect you
and cotton candy froth on your ***** hair as well

the sea loses what it does not keep
in wicker baskets or shells

and that is why
I try to keep you up all night, keep you in me.