in runoff

 
 
the river never felt him kick when it slipped
when he trips right here             on the lookout or the pier or wherever
                          this is where kids carve initials into their inflated hearts
                                                                             then cross them out again
 

& when the water left his body he drank the whole damn sandbar      
                                                                      
                                                                       heavy heavy he          slips

into a yellow shell crisp black.                 she's
                                      a tedious child tugging
                                on crippled wings tugging

 
bubblegum heart kicking
in her mouth                       tightly wound
                                              in the blue
                                              when it leaves her blank
 
 

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