# #food

6 poems

## [hinge](https://chromato.graphics/hinge)

door in our place i never open  
out of fear and too much want  
touch the knob — i am shocked

sounds like a party in there  
but where is my invitation?  
missing out doesn’t scare me

sometimes, it’s open a crack  
scents from the kitchen waft  
my favorite dish on the menu

i give up. nothing better to do  
splayed on gray wool, rubbing  
nothing matches their rhythm

the guests tire, it swings open  
streamers and confetti spilling  
must be my job to clean ’em up

## [no](https://chromato.graphics/no)

do i have to belt you?  
to overcome a bubbling  
or are my words enough  
to staunch the flowing  
from leaking fountains

pleasure is never free,  
even when it is a gift.  
beg me with honeysuckle  
pollination. allergies.  
only believe in denial.

muscle tension, hunger.  
dew’s wetter than rain.  
desperate questions tie  
barricade tape tighter.  
no. a complete sentence

the longer we wait here  
clock hands move slowly  
waiting, praying on the  
dripping limestone tile  
a sacrifice in purpose.

release is for the weak  
but you are strong, no?  
every drop metered out.  
are you grasping at it?  
there isn’t a shortage.

don’t ask me again, now  
you know my answer love  
age years in the bottle  
our flavor concentrates  
only believe in denial.

## [food](https://chromato.graphics/food)

a girl’s gotta eat,  
grow big & strong  
food becomes fuel  
fired brick oven

i have reservations,  
my seat’s set aside  
gin martini stirred—  
small coin of lemon.

white pressed linens  
red leather cushions  
polished steel fixtures  
scarred marble veins

amuse my palate  
gift from the chef  
_we kindly request:_  
_no sharing allowed_

a girl’s gotta eat,  
wash away fears  
enjoy my choices  
wet lips, appetite

taste first with eyes  
each flavor distinct:  
salt, grit, acid, burn  
hungering for it all

the first bite builds  
anticipation of more—  
a mindless chewing,  
my posture softens

i lick your plate clean  
_it’s been taken care of_  
have i saved any room?  
no, some other time

## [incision](https://chromato.graphics/incision)

half decade wishes:  
a leveling out.  
forbidden kisses  
the right choice, no doubt

central park consult  
king cole martini  
review old results  
discard bikinis

photograph the curves  
archives in high gloss  
the things i preserve,  
they’ll surely just toss

day before phone calls  
rage at the system  
its stops, starts, & stalls  
need to assist him

sleep, holding a heart  
cleanse every surface  
wrong name on the chart  
_of course you deserve this_

wave as the doors close  
_don’t use the “b” word_  
eat eggs as you doze  
the artwork looks blurred

a husband’s phone rings  
let me inside there  
treat you like a king  
hold cups as your care

bumpy ride that night  
late rooftop phone call  
two beams of bright light  
never forget fall

a week goes by fast  
managing your pain  
see yourself at last  
straight scars and no drain

i cry more than you do  
it hits me deeply  
this thing that you choose  
didn’t come cheaply

a body transformed  
like overnight oats  
years since your plans formed  
i’ll keep taking notes

## [108°C](https://chromato.graphics/108c)

sunny side up eggs  
cook with sunshine  
denaturation begs,  
bonds across time

waveformed Q train  
park date prospects  
PascalCase names  
everywhere object

polycarbonate layers  
exposed gold livewire  
angel of gay prayers  
film stock, unexpired

bumblebee chapstick  
seeing in rainbows  
jet turbine fuel drips  
one port won’t close

## [ftl](https://chromato.graphics/ftl)

random chance meeting  
sweater that shimmers  
parties are fleeting  
your glances glimmer

post selfies in slack  
our dms vanish  
a coffee date ask  
making a plan-ish?

calls about lost work  
texts about gender  
watching your lil’ smirk  
my heart grows tender

shopping for red skirts  
sharing a small lunch  
enjoying my quirks  
i’m having a hunch…

flirting a little  
to see if it sticks  
too noncommittal?  
or does it just click

late night at a show  
we let our legs brush  
at the bar i chose  
you admit your crush

a ride to your place  
the tension growing  
sharing a small space  
finally knowing

nervously waiting  
for you to arrive  
_fuck, now we’re dating._  
we instantly vibe
