She enters my room
on the saddest day
of summer.
The sun refuses
to duck out
or apologize.
It squats on the ocean
licking salt.
Our tongues curl
& burn like riptide
on a drowning swimmer.
I age under
her hands, grow surly
& stiff.
She explains sleep
is surrender,
nerves sirens
in the shot-up light.
Trust, we beg,
but kisses flash
like knives
& we rob our bodies'
weary pockets.
The shower howls
& pours like monsoon.
Neighbors beat
on walls,
threatening police
or worse.
The year's longest day
is wet towels
& tangled bed sheets,
night a dark rumor
in the blood.
We make love like
we're rolling a drunk.
