I carry
clothing & food
downstairs
across the river

to another compartment
in the sky
an offshoot
a sequel

I lie
carrying still
anger waiting
an excavation in the future

on the bed you turn
glowing blue-lit
then
mouth wide open
face to the ceiling

mouth kissed by others
nameless
in dark places
I wonder

if we’d met at another time
would this be severed

could we laugh then
& throw each other
knowing glances
never touching

we would lie
at separate ends
of the sofa at the party
its end closing in

– Joe Sullivan