ears ring in the bedroom / the smell of smoke in the curtains
I'm waking every hour when you claw into the lobes
lungs fill with linen / the temples pull tight
the truth is in the tremor and the salted cold sweat
one gasp to another
then back under / the undertow
one escape to another
I am without excuse
all the dashing young lovers swooning in the bar light
professionally complacent smiling through the restaurant windows
they inspired shamed jealousy and the weakness in spite
festered in the jaws of the quietest rage
I hope the next person to tell me
that everything will work itself out
I hope you know / you better damn well know
how to lie with conviction