1069

down the street
Corrina had a table
second hand goods
some soap
all very conscious
this was assured in black
letters on a sagging cloth

my ears itched
sweat crawled across
her wrinkled brow

anything cheap was a mistake
a disservice to the artists
living and sweating
making our lives better
making their lives better

-
it was your birthday, Simon
and we gave you a voucher
good for one
“whatever you wanted”
then left you to think
and your own devices
I thought you might
want something gold
or easily taken
like a dream held close
to her breast
but you just wanted some
time alone

I gazed at you with pills
under my eyes and garlic
between my teeth
like some ancient omen
warning you to forget
yourself and the things
I wanted you to forget

I got you a bracelet
bright and dull from
Corrina’s shop on fourth