jack

I met you in exile
Studying surviving stones and the epigenetics of smiles
You were resting under a dark tree
When I heard the rattle of gray clouds snaking between skies

Prior to you
I ate meals of salted nail and cuticle
Trying to untie a weak memory
An inaccessible economy of thoughts-
You spend time starving that beast because
You can’t reach inside yourself to find if any ounce of you
Is ok

You grew in time faster than I could harvest
Growing faster than earth and shadow
A sad autumn fire growing from withered flesh
Like an ego given a second chance with weave
With wigs

You grew like bit nails
I looked at you with these dead eyes above a living grin
Loud ivory skin and
A thinning glance

I wore cocaine cologne that night
And I still try to remember your clorox perfume

I feel like a great happiness has lifted
And all I’m left with is this faint
Ringing