what if

my spine were to rotate

so that my rib cage faced away from you

durational is my softness

memory an attack

i was humiliated to bleed

i do not wish to tame you but understand

your hand

wrapped around my neck

as if breathing were a privilege and i was second-class

humiliated to bleed

though we could be kind

and green and good

build me a house

by a creek in northern california

with a bridge made of wood

that will never rot

so that i can go home

knowing the road is everlasting and green

trace the lines

trace the lines on my face

knowing you were there

we could be kind and green and good and everlasting