i thought i'd washed his residue off myself long ago, but what's that floating in the bath water? i can't pull the plug out, and the towel smells like someone else's skin. it's going to take a little longer, a little warmer, a little more time.

mudpie, here it is. if i'm confusing you, it's because i'm confused. if i can't be near you, it's because i want to keep you clean. you think i'm messing with you, but you're the only one worth messing with anymore. if you stick around to watch me unravel, i plan to knit myself up into a sweater around you one day.

the daylight pooled in puddles on floor, on the table, on my lap. dusk drank them though a twirling straw. now the fluorescent lights are hot and dry. i limp when i walk now, but i still have reasons to dance.