twenty-eight

as a brute, but with soft knees
let this become their callusing
as a brute, but with no strength
break my arm to get within its length

put your hands on me
against what was your lover’s chest
peel the layers off what’s quit beating
remind me how we once kissed

lay this heart down when i can’t
bind it to yourself when it recants

lay this heart down when i can’t
forgive the sins it’s let become arrogant

as a brute, but with less mind
spit in my eyes when i don’t know i’m blind
as a brute, but with less a heart
dig out this grave that once held its parts

put your hands on me
against what was your lover’s chest
peel the layers off what’s quit beating
remind me how we once kissed