the laundress.

if we never planted seeds

i would never grow to grieve 

them.

supplanted, uprooted-

we

dug in, dirty,

soiled, besotted.

had i never tasted

i would not yet crave

if we never touched

i would not yet desire

but i assented to those eyes

because 

somehow

i saw me when

i looked at you.

and

somehow

you're still gone.

i am hollow, still, 

today,

I

will tear off my sheets

to wash the stains

and

the memory of your body

from my bed.