Who would make
such a flagrant
pageant
of affection
I would not
make the same
mistake twice
but moreover over & over
you would want
me pinned up
in a corner
back against the wall
I would wish
you the best
with teeth pressed
firmly against tongue
who would take
such a precious
metal
from a soul
I would not
take two cents
yet not hesitate to take
advantage of my peace of mind
you would want me
suffocated in
a blanket of your best
curated dreams
I would still
be comforted
in your nightmare-
induced embrace
and I would sleep forever
knowing that I tried
I would keep my eyelids closed
knowing that I tried
Steve Shultz is a former journalist and current mail thrower with the United States Post Office. Though having an on-again, off-again relationship with poetry and writing in general, he has published two full-length books of poetry. Read more of his work at https://fmghost.wordpress.com.
