There’s a dark
gnawing deep
in my belly
young I used
to love it
now it brings
me heartache
this worm
inside
burrows deep
and gnaws
at the heart
easily satisfied
this hunger
can multiply
into mistakes
shyness remorse
bitterness like some
plants when bitten
this gnawing
awakens me
and disappears
in my sleep

let me
sketch you
my pen poised
watching you
breathe and the
crisp sheets move
like whipped cream
my pen shadows
finely draws the
oil-rubbed bronze
of you

let my pen
outline your form
in highlights
and dim lights
caressing your chin
with my pen
charting my course

My lover
is a suitcase
away I
left him in
Charlotte
when I
moved to
Honolulu
he stayed
to be home
while I came
to find home
his parents
he said
were very
important
to him
importance
is what
I’m not
one day
he’ll visit
and all the
yearning I
feel will wash
away
because I’ll
be
important

we’re off
to the beach
today shovels
and pails towels
and books
you’ll sit
in the sand
I in a chair
a novel in my lap
we’ll bake like
cookies brown
outside gooey
inside
later today
you’ll be bronzed
and I’ll be
a flamingo