Self-portrait of My Lover as Messiah

I swing, I swig water, and cringe
I swim, I drown in oceans that have
forgotten the taste of water, I drink
the monsoon till I leak. I bear witness
to eyesores, my eyes saw the difference.
I read that healers have candles,
I forget that those might be figurative
I walk past, you recognize, reroute,
tap. I’m reluctant. Boys have no shame
I say, tap the next girl, you tap again.
I flip, and see you on the cross
I scream Hail Mary!, you whisper, why worry?
I dreamt that my worries were hanging
you are hanging, but are not my worry
I wander, pace, I see, that you bear
the worries for me, I smile, you lose
your breath and die. I cry, but it is a prank.
You’re here, I’m less wounded, less less.

LARDO