26. Pelt

let’s play the unravelling game
pick at loose tiger threads

until the big orange pelt
comes down around your ears

you didn’t want to be a ragdoll
you’re sorry about the holes

if a speech was called for
you’d explain but no speech

is called for / no one’s listening

you say sorry the sockets
that don’t match, but your

whole life is still blunt ends
that won’t smoosh together

that’s why you dreamt of tigers
soft neckfur & swatches

to risk more than just standing
here naked and holed

to rest your neck between teeth