there's a disease in my bones
this nakedness that affronts you
when my tongue so slippery
can't hold the words that confront you

my fingers stick to anything I touch
my discount extends to my body's swimming
the rings of my hips and zebra stripes on my side
the way I undulate, serpent-like

you saw all these things
the night I hadn't met you
I confirmed all these things
the night that I chose you

I will cover my white flesh
with sunlight protection
I will cover my heart
with a main line injection

wash over me
make me quiet
make me sleep
in dreams I am perfect
in memory I am everything
you could want me to be