homecoming
Arachnid fingertips are delicate
sore for the glow of another's skin
in the dark.
Ribcage swollen, full with
September's yellowed paper butterflies
Still, inhale December deep
swallow embers to keep warm
exhale willow bark smoke.
Romance wears the masks of summer
I only try them on for size-
another woodsplit on the fire.
Lips sigh and peel apart
undressed by gnawing teeth of time
together we gnash recklessly
severing the wires of our design.
2018.