I remember hearing about fish hooks
The bodies of animals between my hands
Their gills and bones and the thump of a mouse's heart
Petrified by the cat who cornered it into a stair

I recall the grease underneath my fingernails when I iced their Christmas cakes
Packed ground almonds into pan cases and filled them up with oranges and raisins

Without a kiss unsaid
A breast untethered from pink or white satin
My questions are heavy and hot
Eyes that stare while you sleep
Suddenly, they are lilies
Obscene, tired, temporary
Suddenly they cannot see at all