– 56 –

Inflictions

1.
The thin girl whisks her desires.
They form white peaks
which she licks—

so light, so airy
so exactly unfilling

though somehow they stick to her teeth.

2.
When she first met him
she saw that his banner was love

stretched like arms,

like jaws.

She turned away
—as quick as a laugh.

– 57 –

3.
Once she thought he looked like
a floating poem.

She dreams of words that slide away,
stories that slip from her mouth
darken the sheets.

4.
Now she's had enough.
A skinful of him—
every part of her crammed,
pores stretched to gasping.

He wants to point out a few things.

No
defences.

5.
She watches his tears
splash and fracture
then sheds his look.
Turns back
to hunger.