and just like the serpent, I would swallow myself
bent double,
blaze of purity

to feel your skin
soft
against my hips.

I'll count the prayers again
passing beads through my fingers
clacking like teeth in my palms,
and I promised myself - promised
that I wouldn't shovel soil over my head

Blisters and bones cracking under weight

if I close my eyes
nerves cauterized
this earth
feels a bit
like you.

We never got the damn scales out of the teapot.
I never could understand it.