After leaving names, needless
with the border guard
you and I bolted like bush-fires and runner beans, helium balloons to taxi ceilings

Aloof and self-absorbed in a rear-view mirror, you had new
Judas eyes like spoonfuls of olive oil. Every time you
looked at me, you anointed my forehead with
delicious rebellion and vicious freedom

Follow close, you said
We'll make it if we run

So we ran, we reached the tide marks,
moved through panics and plans and phones
cryptic-farewelling our best friends. No lamb too
dear to slaughter at our altar, and land here, on catfeet

I'll hold you, you said
We'll make warmth

Loved your bones, I knit the marrows and fractures to my
own. My hair and eyes changed for the game; they
set your forehead still and soothed your set lips
like the sea; salty unrest and liberty

Runaways, you said
Just hold onto me

A little place with a barren sunshiney name, running your
fingers round the rim of a teacup, you kissed my eyes
with yours. I was making a big deal out of no
thing at all, it was no thing at all

I'll take you back, you said
Just keep your hand in mine

After leaving our names and our
eyes, (mine were spoonfuls of your tea)
you and I fell like still-day kites and deflating balloons, sinking to a homeward taxi floor

Our prodigal story was just relief in tears that fell from
our mothers' eyes and your little sister's too. Til the rough
palms of fathers, and friends again, more than us. You pocketed
the car we slept in, and before long, it was just a storm in your teacup

Come here, you said
We're still running.