born to a decade-long draught
the ballooning of my skin in any heat feels
like the call of home in a sickly way
and reminds me of how your legs
glued in sweat with mine when
forgetting sleep we read each other
from cuticles
to follicles
still that walk is with me
when I left you behind
dawn sun slicing iced
sidewalks roadside snow beds
an old man setting up shop
his curious glance noting I feel sure
the wringing of my ungloved hands
those next twenty-one hours mingle
in my bones with childhood memories:
singlet and undies bandage clapping hernia scar
finger between lips sneaking into the kitchen
outside mum and dad, laughing
pluck a grape from the bowl and suck
sliding the glass door cement patio
slick with heat,
Hi Sweetie, you’re finally up?
no time to bum a cigarette
but still the drag in my bones
I wonder, is he asleep?
yanking that damn suitcase up subway stairs
jostled to awareness, I’m not gonna make it
pulling off my cap to finger sweaty hair
the next flight home: a steward keeps asking
Are you sure you wouldn’t like a sick bag?
in the fields sunshine cups my neck
Nanny plucks a dandelion,
Butter mellow, butter yellow
calls me to my sister’s side, holds it to her chin
See the reflection? That spell reveals
a lover of butter
Amy’s eyes mirror my wonder
slapped by heat nearly stumble onto
the airplane exit ramps
already, armpit sweat
in dad’s car mum proffers a banana,
Are you sure you’re alright?
smiling, turn with a nod to face factory
warehouse walls sliding by, white with summer
still the feeling
of our legs entwined
a window rolled down
dry, whipping air
It’s good to have you home.