I draw the bolt, you jimmy the lock I yank the shades, you tap at the glass I'm shut against you like a fort But you seep through, your foot- Prints multiplying overnight Spreading over the carpet like a dew Devouring mist You're in the air I breathe You're growing in my left breast I hack you out, but you grow back Hang on, jaws locked You flop at my back, at my chest Overhead, your yellow eye Roving like a hawk You swoop across my yard, your shadow Blowing toward me in my sleep You're piling high against the door You're howling like a jackal on the other side A whiff of me bristles your hock You sniff the air and bay Begin your long relentless trek Loping out of the desert half-lame Starving, stung by God Raving like a locust plague You pitch a tent on the edge of town Preaching misery and doom Jeremiah I'm the moon You're the ash on my face Come, storm me, swarm my gate I'll pitch you over the top Even if you crack me like a cottonwood My sap will hiss and issue forth alive Fresh, seething Thriving on your filth I smear myself with you until I stink. Beat the tambourine, pour the wine! This time, for the sheer joy, for the itch In the soles of our feet We dance, we celebrate, we lock once more Our feet begin their wedding jig Our legs and bellies shake The scorpion flicks its tail erect As flames close in Your hot breath sweeps my cheek I'm ready now. I feel the venom rise.