don't open the locket; everything's spoiled by the air and light

whatever you found out there

it's enough to keep you quiet

not just at the arrival gate

but as we pop the trunk

clunk up cement steps

unlock and relock

the west has a pull on you

and you've lost the struggle

a one-way flight this time

more shipped boxes than luggage

the most i get to remember you by

are orange slices on twine

still unimpressive

can't stay away from

advertisinal alpha-blockers

ten-dollar cigarettes and

girls who keep the sticker on

you "drop another whiskey"

when the show's slow

pity my weak cold fingers 

the crates have nothing new

when did you start?

i'm left lurking in your

"seven years ago, i. . ."

an unwilling copycat

shutter/shadow/shattering

 

a lovebomber like me deserves everything they get

"not as bad as i used to be"

that's how we roll tuesday nights

three weeks then the flip

shut off my phone

ignoring your desperate texts

while praying for a new message

the latest victim keeps me in limbo

answer me answer me an answermeans

the pheremones are still working

why i keep a contact book

i've got to have this one written down

you'd be hard to replace

who else would grab my ankle

out of nowhere 

kiss the bottom

of my sock foot

like it doesn't reek

of old boots and a long walk

how i'd love to sink into you

the day after/slow seeping quarter-turn

bear caves and a golden locket

clothespins and conspiratorial smirks

a passerby-turned-agent of sameness

"god i know what you're doing"

you don't need to censor a thing

let's threaten our hibernation

when we climb out april

you'll tell me what those pills do

not only is chivalry dead but so is bro code

you covered just about everything

but there's one night you left out

don't worry about missing it

the photos tell it pretty well

why don't you wreck another car

maybe this fourth time will do it

dresses make dates

t-minus seventeen buttons 

sipping out your swimming glass

slender missless digits fidget

makeup makeout come-on-up

tiny turquoise tourniquets 

turn on and takeoff

the hardest "yes" to say

library of congress cassette player, baby

beige green red black clickety snap

ankle-crossing static-breathing whisper-killing

five-hundred decibels through the brain