i felt pure and sweet, pure and sweet. ee touched the pure flesh of a newborn when he touched me, and he spoke in rhyme that made me grit my teeth and pull away. he was dissolving into the essence of me, and i regretted it, regretted the snap of my head against the back of the porcelain tub, the way he devoured me with his simpers and his light hands. the loose lap of water around us was a background to the lovely little words with which he penetrated me. it wasn't long after that i lay in repose and tasted his mouth inside mine. i was jealous of his limp relaxation and the way that his cheeks had flushed when he looked at me, and that was what had gotten us into bed in the first place. you'll be gone soon, i thought inside my head, flicking the ash from my cigarette and offering him a smile padded with artificial sweetener.

she was, by far (and away)

the loveliest of them

her sun began my day

i knew it when i kissed her then

sylvia you are water-waste and heart-smooth

just

like

that

dear dear just like that

curl into my fingers and i'll count your cries

your cries

onetwothreefourfive six six seven

you are beautiful

the one thing i want to know is

how did you like it

like it like it

like your thrummingman

syllablesallruntogetherlikeourbodies

you are defunt my dear

you are defuntdear

but onetwothreefour five