in the pockets of my head. And just as
a tenant that won’t pay the rent
I’ve no room left. My emotions
all spent. He’s lasted past the date

I’ve ousted him out. Standing still
like a big toe with gout. Painful to move,
swollen and red, I'm a mechanical pencil
without the lead. I've drowned him in a hundred

proof. But he didn't leave as my head
hit the roof. If only I didn't let him in. If only
I listened to the voice in my ears that
grew or cut the wings of the butterflies that flew

in circles in my stomach,  I wouldn't have
plummeted into the abyss. If only I knew his kiss
is my death wish.