The Dogs I Have Kissed

I Swear Somewhere This Works

In a parallel universe or another world

or a different life,

we sit across from each other

at the kitchen table

and go over

the grocery

list.

Little Matchstick Girl

Have you ever noticed how wanting

burns you up

from the inside out?

Like one moment I am whole,

but then I hear

your voice on the phone

and I swear to god

three blocks away from here

they can smell smoke.

The first time you hear something like love
in the soft tone of his voice, do not act like he has

given you the moon.

Act like he has given you smooth blown glass,
fine china teacups: something beautiful
but absolutely breakable. Something with the potential
to be so, so sharp.

But swallow the lump in your throat.

Do not bother padding the floor. Waste no time

with an overly heavy grip. We lose so much

for fear of letting go.

You have to let it breathe. Put it to use.

It’s no good tucked safely away. Roll over in the bed

and bare your neck to teeth. Just buy some thick soles

for when the glass breaks.

Until then, maybe we’ll just have to try harder to stay in the moment. Kiss me until we stop thinking about growing and ocean currents.

Kiss me until nobody cares about the metaphors anymore.

Strangers all stuck up in my teeth

because I’m heart-hungry.

i hate that your life is more together than mine. i was supposed to be the one going places. i was supposed to be able to look down on you. i feel like i’m still stuck on your bedroom floor with my summer dress pulled to the side.

I Wish There Was a Better Way to Say This:

the way you yank smiles out of me
like stubborn teeth

scares the shit out of me.

My girl says, “come on, baby, lay it on me”

and I still don’t know if she’s talking about my story

or my mouth.

My hands are still shaking from
nights spent not knowing
how to want you.

For Brittanie

There will always be men

who have fishhooks for fingers.

There will always be women

with wet, sharp mouths.

It is okay to get caught up in them.

It is not okay to drown.

Don’t you ever let another human

being tear you apart.

Remember that you have claws

and teeth, too.

Remember that you are better off

whole.