number nine

to another
gloved murderer.

1
one comes quickly after me on my heels and i run so crookedly always looking back and thinking only about what happens after the jump
and never what it takes to make it all the way across.


2
you walk always with your shoulders squared and
held high
as if you're attached to puppet strings.
only i know better, i've seen the air between
your feet and the ground
seen the sidewalk dissolve to a dense mist
you float above--

everyone notices your eyes fixed to the sky
nobody sees you struggle not to take flight
not to sprout wings from those
proud shoulders, pulled high
your hands stretched down, begging
not to get too far above the rest of us.

sometimes,
when you have just left me
i find feathers.


3
a fog spreads from the tip of your cigarette
i don't see but don't get lost
trust fall into smoke, knowing it's nothing,
knowing i'll fall.
feel arms where there are none.
feel loved when i am not.
i hear a heartbeat, think it's yours
matching mine.