Leasing I Love You (October 1997)

i liked
that it was frivolous
sporadic
concealed and innocent
eyes blinking
lips sinking
curved electric blue.

and now my skin
is so fingerprinted
that the hands have no name
and the words no meaning.

coming in waves
turning glass to stone
swimming through hushes and sighs
hearts breaking
mine cracking.

grief licks
the small of my back
i forget to recall
softness and safety.

screaming in the back
of my eyes
your hand on my breast
leasing i love you to my ear
not reaching my heart.