The Girl Who Bit the Apple
Come closer. I bear hardly any grudges – all
I can remember is that first bite
and the hard sweet fragment in my throat.
Can I tell you if the whole world wavered?
Can I tell you anything?
Only my fingers, white
as snow. Only my terrible trembling feet.
I have had my little thrills.
No breath clouds this curved glass now.
If you kiss me I’m going to die again.
I’ll be dead to this dark world of sleep.
What’s the sheen of a coffintop anyway?
What’s taboo about lidded eyes, hands
folded like mine are?
Come, open a life with your lips.
Imagine these stiff limbs all supple!
Don’t say my shut mouth doesn’t move you:
Look at my three beautiful colors. Darling,
I promise I’m worth it.
Think of the loaves of baked bread I am.
Think of the clean kitchen floor. You will love
the mechanical purr of my heart.
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