tachinidae

time-travel 
back to the living room 
back to when my beer was full 

to parry the velvet 
and glitter above 

the world around us 
of carbon dioxide and carcinogens 
and syntax 

i can never see you

insects have it all figured out
flies have their compound eyes 

i have only these two 

my aura will travel up the living room curtains 
all orange and red and devouring

how tachinid larvae eat their host from the inside 

how emotions do the same

dogs

i'll never understand why 
she gives all her goodness to dogs 

to the hounds that trail her 

i can see her face 
and touch her hand 

but i know 
there are galaxies 

between us

val

cheeks dent inward as she draws the alcohol 
through the little black straw 

an eternity there 

a tiny moment 
a flicker of a light bulb 
the batting of her light-brown eyes 

we talk palahniuk and love 
and misanthropy 

i remember 

her eyes overflowing 
like a soul melting and emptying out 

god has no place in her heart 
no right 

there was a glowing white carriage 
like a constellation in the sky