cloves

she had only just become
secure when the door locked
and she remembered
the key was inside.
she walks quickly from the cold.

he's saving his pennies for
the cheap drink she likes in the
bar by the tower,
tastes like christmas and
smokes like black.

she guts the garnishes without
realizing that green is her only
color and that there are
more players than her.

he eats dinner without salt
he takes his coffee without cream
he fucks with his eyes shut
& dreams.

she is smoking while she shivers.
he is shivering while he smokes.

they're too busy staring and wondering to remember that they're not alone.