EPITHALAMIUM

by lauren hilger

 

 

I left every room for it

I’ll move the room to me

 

I’ll move the rose to face

you wait at the foot of that door

 

take off my hoops when it opens

why was I afraid of the words

 

why to read the message

I slammed my hand over your mouth

 

time refilling

occasion for no speech

 

but the illusion of forever

chills the base of my throat

 

like some lemon bite too sharp

unless you like big numbers

 

daytime shapes up cool white and blue not

regal enough for you

 

the idea of logging off is done

this quiet comes around

 

my fist closed in a silent film

I tried to tell you

 

but the story stays here

all in my mouth my hands

 

wind over the ocean

fire on the sand

 

I’m not going to hurt you

I stamp my signet ring into wax