these little eyes
oh, oh, they close
--feathers, they wrap, warp her like paper wraps her heart
in the smile in which he lets
will blossom, like they did when her hands
the way her hands
fell to your back

relief;
tying her
---together,
her heart,
wrapped in white,
and
---in
blue,
maybe a little pink.
deciphering the truth
through all these strings,
half-knotted, half-tearing
and half still thick with light.
and
---glowing
happiness,
---desire
radiating through her
letting the world know
where her life will go in ten years
or maybe fifteen.
these two,
these very few
can touch
---and
feel
and let themselves care
oh, they do, they do.
lights decorating their eyes
their clothes loose and ill-fitting.
she doesn’t mind;
he doesn’t mind.
lungs swimming within her
and letting out sighs,
sighs of
---hidden
relief
buttery love
and creamy
---forgiveness
chloroform their
necks

relief;
tying her
        together,
her heart,
wrapped in white,
and
        in
blue,
maybe a little pink.
deciphering the truth
through all these strings,
half-knotted, half-tearing
and half still thick with light.
and
        glowing
happiness,
        desire
radiating through her
letting the world know
where her life will go in ten years
or maybe fifteen.
these two,
these very few
can touch
        and
feel
and let themselves care
oh, they do, they do.
lights decorating their eyes
their clothes loose and ill-fitting.
she doesn’t mind;
he doesn’t mind.
lungs swimming within her
and letting out sighs,
sighs of
        hidden
relief
buttery love
and creamy
        forgiveness
chloroform their
necks

he shakes; he’s shaking; why are you shaking?

you’re scaring me.
Please, control yourself.

his arms are flailing, his eyes are blank.
he’s  about to collapse… Watch out for that pole!
he shudders; he’s shuddering; calm down.  
it’s quick, fast-moving.

his sharp movements cool into a warm silence.
no more flailing arms.
and he has me hold him.
he’s  not moving,
his    heart is beating through his ears, pulsing.

and I have my arms around him now.
he shivers. then falls asleep.