The smile of iceboxes annihilates me.
Such blue currents in the veins of my loved one!
I hear her great heart purr.

From her lips ampersands and percent signs
Exit like kisses.
It is Monday in her mind: morals

Launder and present themselves.
What am I to make of these contradictions?
I wear white cuffs, I bow.

Is this love then, this red material
Issuing from the steele needle that flies so blindingly?
It will make little dresses and coats,

It will cover a dynasty.
How her body opens and shuts --
A Swiss watch, jeweled in the hinges!

O heart, such disorganization!
The stars are flashing like terrible numerals.
ABC, her eyelids say.

Love is universal migraine,
A bright stain on the vision
Blotting out reason.

Symptoms of true love
Are leanness, jealousy,
Laggard dawns;

Are omens and nightmares -
Listening for a knock,
Waiting for a sign:

For a touch of her fingers
In a darkened room,
For a searching look.

Take courage, lover!
Could you endure such pain
At any hand but hers?

Sleep well in the sun, my London love
I count the days 'til I hear your voice
You hate the way they push and shove
But smile like you have a choice

Don't go in the black, my lonely child
You won't find solace there
I know your mind must be running wild
But stay and breathe the air

Find me in the crowd, my ghostly star
I'm not brave enough to call your name
You wouldn't hear from worlds so far
And I'm too tired to play this game

Be good to yourself, my never friend
Take shelter when clouds threaten your skies
Don't let them hurt you in ways that won't mend
I can't stand the lost look in your eyes

Run free with your brothers, my laughing sun
Know that you light up the earth
I pray that you won't be an unlucky gun
'Cause you're firing with all that you're worth

Safe travels in the moonlight, my London love
I spend sleepless nights dreaming of you
You hate the things you can't rise above
But laugh like they're nothing to you

Pull it off
And stop the sound from getting into your ears

Leave the thoughts of what you see
Even when you close your eyes

Choose to lay it down
As you've already lied on your bed

Think about nothing but how tired
And you need to sleep

Don't you ever worry
Before you go to sleep

Just go to sleep
As how you would go to sleep

Paint my eyes with rich black kohl
Butterfly eyelashes
Heavy with fakery
My skin like porcelain;
Every freckle masked, every expression hidden
Lips stained scarlet
Doll-like and wide eyed
The emotion playing across my face carefully chosen
To make you believe what i will you to
I can keep every soul out, stay mint-condition, so to speak
Only if i pretend hard enough
Only if i am perfect