not in the fridge
      you told me when last
      you went to ground
      you’ll make it go stale

      but I’m just so tired
      of throwing it out

      warm tears breed mold
      that kisses and spreads
      like spider-veins of
      blue cancer or relief

1.
   break two mongoose hearts
      into a dented copper bowl

2.
   cover both red yolks
      with cuckoo’s milk
      beat ’til it cries
3.   add cinnamon regret

4.
   dredge thick slices
      through this wreckage

5.
   press them flat on
      fevered forehead
      flip them quick
      when smelling loss

      then choke down whole
      with thumbs tied back

      and both eyes broken

(first appeared in the Spring 2012 issue of Tulane Review)