twin pox
an unwanted gift
Twin Pox
Together, we bubbled this winter
your fresh skin afflicted
the tips of my fingers like moon craters
the blisters crept their way under our tongue
sat on soft earlobes
hid in the pillow folds of your thighs
For Christmas
we blistered and bathed
calamine lotion blotched over each fresh crop
alkaline friends
the itch erupting like
a razors edge gnawing at my palms
as I tried to care for you
bathe you in oats
dot dot dot you in lotion
Wrapped in our towels
faces marled
we look in the bathroom mirror
the blisters crowd round the curled edges of our smile
and my heart sweeps the horizon
the lighthouse beam
searches for you
loves you always
guides you home
into harbour
under the endless stars
