14.04.2025

My lover comes

Uninvited 

Unannounced, and 

Always for an indeterminate stay

And I– good hostess that I am, 

(Or hungry, if the truth be told) 

Put fresh linens on the bed

Caress her face

Search her eyes for the stories that she won't tell 

I tell her how she's the

Only one who truly knows me, 

Ask her if she's planning to stay this time

Swear eagerly, promises I don't yet want to keep

Just to know the body that lies with mine

This familiarity, 

A little longer

But as usual, she says 

"That's up to you."

We both know this script by now.

I bury myself in sad poems

Sleep too much

In days 

(Or weeks, or maybe even hours,) 

Again, we'll go our separate ways, and still, 

I fall asleep in her arms, 

My head on her breasts

This heart that I've known as long as my own 

Throbs, strong against my cheek

And when I wake, she's already gone.

I take my morning pills.

Make my strong black coffee. 

I know as well as she, that

The day will come

Neither of us knows when

When I'll invite her to stay

And I'll mean it,

but until then

I've so much to do.

So much to do.