Tangerine-

skin lips,
blooming

like a shipwreck

in the storm,
they run

me aground.
Carmine

drink, savory

poison,

on the tongue

they leave

my eyes

bare,
stranded

and drenched
in the neon

boneyard
where ashes

rain,
ashes

rain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________

Photo: Irving PENN, “Cigarette and lips” (New-York, before 1961)