———-

sparkling explosion of
cellophane, celebration basket
and champagne nails tickling birthmarks
 down the back.

fallen glitter eyeshadow
dances on a throat like
roving crescent moons
from everywhere a lip hit
forcing pieces of gold dust
to roll off my nose.

the mattress is bare now.

ghost stories and berries in bed,
mouths filled with laughs.
I’m in an afghan
sinking my teeth into a shoulder,
straddled with bare feet
and bravado drips from every
inch of me
     and what else?

I’m somewhere else.

“The Long Maul