Hiss

Can’t recall the time of year
But the cars I could hear
Seemed to slowly steer
Like they were driving on
Frozen roads
Couldn’t say the time of day
But the light through the shades
Rearranged her face
Into valleys and
Peaks of gold
Don’t remember what she wore
‘Cause she stripped at the door
Said, “Our clothes look better
Thrown on the floor,
Now that we’re alone.”
Never even heard her name
But the sound that remains
Is a mix of moans
With the hiss of rain
On the patio
I touched her shaky thighs, all love-bite bruised,
As she sprayed her perfume
Said, “You think it’s strange
That I’m kind to you?”
I said, “I kinda do.”
She said,
“There’s just so much cruelty
In everything everywhere.
When I close my eyes against it
I still feel it in the air.
But when I’m in your arms
I could swear it wasn’t there.”

Never asked her where she’s from
But she spoke about love
With the lilting tones
Of some foreign tongue
I didn’t know
The smell of artificial fruit
Made me think of the maids
Who would clean the place
Once we left the room.
Told her, “Time to go.”
She said, “I’m staying for a day or two."
Then she whispered, “You brute,
Oh, you drunken fool
Don’t you try to move.
I’ll take care of you.”
Then I snapped a photo
Of her smiling naked on the bed
Hand posed for the camera
Like a pistol to her head
Cardinals on the sheets
Flying, always, to the West
Dropped the picture in my suitcase
And got up to leave
Then I mimicked the expression on her face
As I covered it with sheets
Dark lines from the shades
Put all the cardinals in their cage
Shut the door behind me
Flipped the sign, and I was free