cede

            I can't see

            past your eyes

            and I can't touch

            beyond your skin

            and I can't taste

            beyond your mouth

            and suddenly I can't breathe in

            I can't stop and I can't start

            I can't keep my ribs

            around my heart

            It beats

            outside my chest

            and tears it wide

            You hide your eyes

            but I know you see

            and when you taste

            you taste me

            And then I stop.

            You smile.

            We hide our scars

            with gauzy strips

            that breathe and bleed and fool no one.

Lisa's other works