Mollusk

my eyes grow heavy with appraisal,

the minute pain of each cry that serves faithful to its mouth; I shall not sleep till dawn 

and my life small enough to fit into one suitcase of fear, I know 

it’s the dance of death more graceful than that which loves 

like a holiday ticket or an unexpected guest

if the mind shrieks with its black tongue I do not care, 

but when one spews on me their crude love 

I fold up square as a lie 

and my body is sucked of life like the green breast of Putana 

my last breath white as milk and silent; 

I leave you like the mollusk detaching from its shell

it is us and pain, you said; and we grew from darkness 

and lover, I never sought the light as you, but remained 

you may leave, or stay, for that which stays will save me 

my heart is a seabed and gratitude gold, it opens to the one that holds it 

so quiet that it might crack or break 

I am so much to offer to him that stays despite my inability to sing.