Love

Press your thumb

against the cut, watch it ease the flow

before you lick it clean.

The taste of blood.

Sit on the pavement

so that your back is resting against the bumper,

let the vibration of the speakers rock you to sleep.

Andrews Beetle.

Trace his mouth with your fingers,

get caught on rough, dry skin

peel back dead flesh, look for something smooth.

Chapped lips.

Feel the scrape of cloth

over raw, peeling skin.

Run your fingers across the blisters.

Burnt.

Stick it inside the folds of your tongue,

taste the candy coating melt

as it gets smaller and smaller inside your mouth.

Cinnamon hearts.