i want you soft in the middle

[rideupmyspine]

you aren't just a passing
point in my proximity, but
if i were hula hooping
or unicycling
you might be

just counting the tick marks
until you can pick the dirt
from my scalp
tomorrow afternoon
-- a mangled patch of weeds

a spot of mangled earth
to count the inconspicuous
coils
from belly buttons
to making inanimate objects
squeak just
as hard.