seasoned

hope is something halfway
between a feather and a jaw
when he slept around me
as easy as a fall
I held my head just so
that hope might slip in oddly
my hope is hidden
in the frenzy of his body

fear has come upon me cried
and stiffening at night
there isn't time
and I'm dirtier than I would like
I can lie so fear don't see me
a sweater on the floor
or I can clean
like I've never been scared before

I have talked of love
til it's ragged hanging loose
my heart is busted
from enthusiastic overuse
now love is stealthy
hiding under ribs
love laughs at me
it knows exactly what it is

hope is something halfway
between a feather and a jaw
when you slept around me
as easy as a fall
I held my head just so
and hope dis slip in oddly
my hope is hidden
in the frenzy of your body.

-Veda Hille