October 29th

amy lipman

I.

I kiss the girls
Who ask me to
They ask again
I put them to bed
Maybe you wish you had done that for me

II.

I already told you
I’m scared of your sex

I used to be lovely

My eyes were unclouded
My hands reached the bottom
You gave me an ocean and no place to sail to
Winds count for nothing when storms are your mind

III.

You shouldn’t have come
You didn’t want everything
I keep from you what you deserve

I offered peace through ill meetings
Over fires started with trash from his room
The marks on the wall that I can't remember
Baby pictures
I pretend that he’s dead

IV.

I still saw you
Behind both my eyelids
Keep me hidden inside of your drawer
Live with speed
Die with miles of sound in your ear
Find somebody warm to hold onto; now whisper
How good it is to speak low

V.

I slept for the first time
You at my fingertips
Inches from my back
That I would have carried you on

VI.

Crosses cut the fairest priests if sacraments are sharp
Chests are unlocked of blood
I will be unhinged of rust