wearing sins like earings

the crucifix

is a disappointing sapling

with us for its

fruits

fleshed like pears

stripped like oranges

rotten like apples

with worms to the core

*

she pulls the rope

to bring herself out

of the water

and the possibility of sharks

lifting the

knot around my neck

high enough

for me to swell with

the warmest colour

of love

eyes ruby and runny

and closed

*

i am a tree

that gains rings

and moves further

away from my center

with commanding barks

for a harder outside

to hide my inner shade

from the sun

and from the burning around