I know I scare you ,
I’m leaving stains and traces all down your side
I sketch spirals in your sleep
I start on the rib and work my way in
At my command they may run and smudge-
I’ve always left mud most everywhere that I’ve touched.
I place my hand to your skin, rub it in,
and start all over again.
I know I scare you,
I’m leaving stains and traces all on your insides.
You sketch spirals in my head,
and work your way back out again.
I collapse in quarters.
Squeeze out all the bad blood that I have bled.
I place this in your hands- rub it in,
and start all over again.
And I am feeling
like my fears are colours feeding
into you.
These are creatures,
they are slow-limbed and Lovely,
they are slipping to our sides again.
They open up our chests like wings,
let them breathe,
and lead them to light again.
These are kisses wishes and spent eyelashes,
they are scattered for our hearts’ defense,
these are weeds,
they are slow-limbed and Lovely,
they are mistaking us for angels.
Well, I could have said irredescent,
but that’s been done and done again.
And I could have said incandescent,
but you know damn well that I have burned and burned again.
Well I could have whispered such sweet words,
but you know they’ve been said and said again,
so I sketch these spirals as you sleep for your eyes
when you wake again.
And I am feeling
like my tears are colours bleeding
into you.
And I.
©2000 rob hinkal