my mouth.

I will inevitably concoct strings
of veracious invocations,
plead for basic commonality
that you will choose to 
devalue on repeat, while
I compete with everything
but the fucking air 
you breathe to be more 
than interim vapor

I will lie alone

and repeat lyrics to each song

under the moon’s phases, inside of 

vacant nights I will inhale the

feral emptiness that 

creeps into the spaces

where you left me waiting,

not caring that my heart

was in my lap

I must speak my truth

I will dream of your beautiful

sleeping face and arms

tenderly with burning regret

while I repeat,

repeat, repeat

you just didn’t know how 

to reach the place

where the river bends

© 1.3.2024 heather brager