STALE, MATE

the surface
where you drew me 
outlined, kohl'd, heavy 
weighted for you
waited only for what felt
like, what forever must be

crazy with an idea of 
normal interactions between
now normal just tastes like
something that maybe you'd once 
had a chance of at being 
ripe + so sweet, now's grainy and bruised 
and definitely, too touched 
and too used to

and then here, like in pace
our stomachs get tired
together, for-longing, for-giving
skin falling from their bones
falling over here and under where
we could talk and fight and fall and fuck
could study, inch by inch
for hours for days for weeks for months
as long as longing takes
a lifetime, i guess

i know, i know
there is no sanctity in this
never did have patience for chess
never would another have lasted
this second or third or fourth glass

and still, i wreck the sheets for you
turned in every direction
except, the one you were heading

confidently, i
know where we reside

Artwork by Ryan Tippery