The Actor

The actor lying on the pillow next to me

Through thighs, a canyon, and bullets

Below your knees

I know you find it hard to breathe

When flowers bloom at the corner of your street

Dried flat for pleasure, insurance

And hopefully

They get a page inside your book

What could I say to make this right?

Afternoon fuck and then a fight

When everybody's listening

My friends are in the kitchen

Elastic lover, you're holding me so tight

Just like a saviour

Until it doesn't feel too right

I won't forget the way you cried

A damning flight by virtue of a man

And to say, "Father, I hope you've got a plan"

I've got another one, too

What could you say to make this right?

Afternoon fuck and then a fight

You knew that I was listening

Your new man in the kitchen

On stage, the actor rehearses her new lines

One woman show

"I'll see you at opening night"

And then won't look you in the eye