Asking for more

I am not asking for mercy, I tell myself. I am asking for more.

Maybe I lie. I would like a little mercy every now and then.

Am tired of the waiting and the concocting of excuses.

Maybe I lie.

I choose to wait, or so I choose to tell myself

I would like a little mercy every now and then.


(asking for mercy- Sarah Manguso, here )

words

waiting. tired. logic. expect. refuse.
memories. want. need. yearn. hunger. satiety.
smile. wink. laugh.
tears.

On anatomy

I never thought bones could be this fascinating
and then I met your body; began to study it.
I do believe that I could fall in love
with your bones.
You know my fondness for your hands-
how I can spend hours looking
at the sweet domes of your knuckles,
caressing each metacarpal, kissing your palm-
but you were not aware of my infatuation
with your scapulae. Or of how we flirted behind
your back-
they nestling in my palms the way I would
snuggle up to you at night.