The devil gave me a reservation. He promised me VIP seating and all the sin I could carry. I asked what that entailed. He said lots of red apples and dark chocolate. I asked him what I would have to do. He said to lie, but make it easy. He said to love, but make it iffy. He said to kiss, but with venom. He said to touch, but with dispassion. He said I was his favorite fallen angel. He said he liked my face. That there's a wholesomeness about it. He taught me charm. He taught me wit. He taught me the art of innocence. He gave me confidence and grace. He gave me allure and versatility. And I did his bidding.

There's a rumor going around that I'm a bad ass. It was started by this kid, Leopold, who saw me squish a spider once. He said that was bad luck, awful bad luck. I told him to get lost. I've been pretty lucky. I'll be damned if he still believes it.

One afternoon, we stood in line and I asked you how tall you are. 6'5". I asked you if you could please write it down for me, as I'd like to remember. You painted me a picture instead. In it, your knees were torn. I wish you would be happy.

I've often contemplated the consequences of the inevitable existential journey that occurs when our bodies align. Are you me? Who am I? Where the fuck are we? It's curious.

Sometimes, you make me feel like a child. Like when you take my hand and start to swing it. Or when you ride by my window just to wave hello. It was easier when we were children. I've missed that.

She opened the door and signed the package slip.
Her life had halted
in anticipation of that box.
That small, compact box
sent from the icy streets of Ohio.
In her bathrobe,
she shuffled to the kitchen
and set the box gently on the table.
Pouring herself another cup of coffee,
she glared at it.
She took another large sip.
She crossed the room
and sat across from it,
her hands lying flat on the table.
Here it came: the unveiling,
the ripping open of the Ohioan package,
the ceasing of longing,
of yearning,
of dread, worry, fear.
Here it came:
her mother's gold watch.