1110

going down the stairs
backwards
with a bag over your head
huffing
gasping
a cigarette sticking
out of a ragged hole
you just say
come here
come here
this is who I am
don’t forget
this is who I am

oddly circuitous
we say
in unison
then climb over our
childhoods
and reach behind the seat
pull out jars containing
our baby teeth

can we work it out
you say

–

a parking garage
at midnight
collecting the rain
into my hands
to pour down your back
to wake you up
so you can say
this is who I am
don’t forget

your hair is down my throat

after this/that
what was right

can you dig it out
can you dig it out
can you dig it out
can you dig it out
can you dig it out