my mind makes plays in clever defenses
at night

with hands

over my ears, my thin
film of hidden blush and intake

of you sullen breath
you dressed my personage, my skin
crushed like sleet, flushing
out and in with heated adolescence yet

the cadence is remarkable, and still
despite such forgotten and aged

intonations, again
i soon speak from my child's eye

in awe of environments remarkable once more
because you bring me flowers again

or not again to appease
my winter girl my foster
town and watch
in gentle trepidation

my linen thin, flapping
steps of fumbling adoration,

my whiskey stung repose the burn
reviving my mistake again and written
through my town again, throughout
those kid stung documents, heaves

of blushing reaction inked across my mouth--
still you ask me back again.

you flicker behind me
your hand on my lower back--

each finger
a gentle apology.