Hatred so palpable even my
secret-keeping mouth, iron-clad
and concrete walls, trenches
dug in steep against the external war,
cannot hold the front line--
even my tongue betrays
me, slick and hissing your name.
And what can
you say for yourself, that would
pacify me? That you were honest or
open or did what you
thought ought to have been right?
I coil hard against you,
unfairly weighted with stones neglected
and piled up from other battles,
other men, older nights.
Latent heat.
The heart of me twists tighter
and tighter, a copper spring conducting
all of the impulses of my body:
oh, how I am wet for you,
how I lust for the taste of you.
I learned hate the
same way you did, a gift unwanted,
bestowed forcibly when we were
both too young.
You find no commonality with me;
I find no sanctuary with you.