IN A WOMB OF ROCK * in a womb of rock we kissed

+ i felt your hands enclose me

+ you wrote our names on the wall

your lips toyed playfully over

a word unspoken

you interrupted my tongue

to begin a poem

forgive me for

my hands are curious

in the nocturnal hall

i heard the bats sing

+ held you close

one more time

before I left for the hospital