I’ve always been good at true love

if i remember correctly 
you tasted like black cherries
dark blood in your teeth
spitting pits in the soft grass of summer
blowing on a fire making
ashes fly, embers burn 

if i remember correctly 
we lay facing the sky
watching the evening bats 
fly closer
and closer
more frantic than the
rhythmic birds 

i wanted to climb the railings of the
house in your mouth
scream out onto the rooftops
step up the ladder to the
open window and dive into
neighborhood sunset

i wanted your hands unclenched and open
so i could fit mine inside 
these look like good hands
don’t they?

i wanted the heat of summer 
to glow softly in my chest
all winter
stoking itself with my breath

 

Cassie Neville