only to be told
after this death’s
been drawn out
that you’re perfect.

I know what it’s like
to be seduced
and the door closed
because I do not know

what it’s like to be a
tall, white, blue-eyed
pop with a house
by the shore.

I know that I’ve unloved
some and raged like a
flash flood. And have known
loves that kept

laughter in council memorial centres
and got lost on the way
to emergency rooms
because it was a sunny day.