oh, mary
(& the bees guarding the tree-line)
strum your guitar—
every sound a vibration
from the lying mouth
you taught me to kiss
your son & your daughter
it meant everything
we'd sing "come on eileen"
under the garage steps
while your boy was screaming
into my arms, then fleeing
(and stinging)
i've never been good
at keeping secrets
like ours
///
oh, jared—
pluck my banjo
until each sound vibrates
from our welded tongue
you schooled me on body alchemy,
toes stretched to god
now i'm counting backward from seven
(asphyxiation)
i'd rather shipwreck with you
than sail into heaven
i confess—
i’m a queen bee
humming this tune
as if it’s not fleeting
i've never been good
at keeping