faction

hastily parked cars
tequila from dusty shot glasses
hunt-and-peck a substitute
for what we both wish for

and yet I marvel
under the spell of your
dry smooth skin
and your curious smile

I speculate on our ability
to bullshit ourselves.
you saw him treat you less
as if need was of no consequence

and I saw you sleep.
lips freed from purgatory
randomly unleashed from wishes
I wondered “what if?”

I’ve grown to apologize
for compliments rendered
they don’t believe anymore
still I was compelled

a trail of breadcrumbs
find my way on my own
from this island vacation
in our city of novacaine

tawmnation