That night he hurt you bad
In that green, pastel
Summer dress
You'd die alone with the land
A hollow head in its hands
But everybody does that
But with particular scorn
In polyurethane form,
Freeze-dried, stuffed to the brim

Preservation

Hide in our hideous masks
Your daddy's shitty
Shake grass
I told you I couldn't see it
A monument of pills
Grocery lists, telephone bills
Pamphlets and dollar
Store trinkets

Preservation

But if that was how you put it
And if you ever willed it
I would embroider you
In disaffected kisses
In bleach reticent sunsets
Soldered animal glue

A hand too heavy to hold
Lips that won't
Do what they're told
How do we ever begin it?
How do we grow old?

Preservation