1. HEEL
i see a future where i walk
through the door, and you are there
to take my shoes off and carry me
to the couch, where we exchange soft words
about our days. you run your hand along
my calf, your tone and your touch telling me
all i need to know.
i nuzzle into your chest,
you scratch my head,
and we breathe each other in after
so long apart.
2. SIT
i see a future where we eat
at the dinner table, noticing small silences
that grows louder the longer it takes us to
find something to say.
we are through with the table scraps—
i love yous,
i want yous—
and it’s only seemed to make us
more aware of starvation.
we throw out what treats we can
over scraping utensils.
3. SPEAK
i see a future where you yell
at me, and i return your fury, because
after all this time, i
am no less rabid.
we rage against each other until
torn skin and broken promises
litter the carpet.
later, we attempt
to lick each other’s wounds,
but the saliva
only makes them sting more.
4. PLAY DEAD
i see a future where you tell
me that no one else will cherish me
more, and i believe you,
so we conceal what we know to be true
behind wagging tails and puppy eyes
because we so desperately want to be loved,
both of us.
we yield to each other
like loyal dogs do,
suffering under a broken mastery—
this love.