This work is part of TAG: A Poeta Project. It is a  response to Trick by Frani Evedon

“Untitled – A response to Frani Evedon”

Heat lightning outside,

While inside he sweats on a cracked leather chair.

I’m cool, having slid into that color

An hour ago.

It just glides on.

I’m used to the heat, this pattern of arousal.

Light me up.

Call, and respond.

I text back, we clear the deal.

I jump in the car, or into theirs.

The moon rises blood-red, but I no longer see it.

That tide turned years ago, when the willow behind

My uncle’s house used to shudder every time the train passed.

Every time we went back there.

So push the needle in, I’m cool.

The hotter you get, the better I’ll sleep.

Later, gleaming beneath the window.

Press me as hard as you like, I burn forever.

I’m dark as

The new moon, the buried rock

Waiting to shine later.

By Lauren Maynard