BEEN A SON (from CONDITIONAL GIRL)
for sam
you say and I’ll say
it’s been more than occasional
this time
I have been spine
been Lake Washington morning docks
been lakes that don’t empty
been boats that don’t return when they’re meant to
been an island
should have
been a son
I have been number-two-pencil perfect been
hard like we’ll pretend these aren’t like you
have been hard upon
breaking windows easy upon skin broken through
too have been flesh
too have been mirrors
too have been mine
have been selfish as I have been
selfish and hard to come easy to soft and prime
across your shoulders
breath I have been climbing
miles I have come to miles easy
as walking easy
as skin breaks through and windows shatter and my wrists
banging heartbeat and headboard whispers through
my breastbone
and your wrist
