time, once upon

decorated
in the powders
of oracles
and heartbeats.
(this is what my smile looks like
underneath my nose
pressed against a mirror
to suck in sweet
salvation)

shaman girl,
wildflower eyes skipping
across the years
like smooth polished stones.
skin like an
exotic gold lily opening to release
a lovespell
lashes fluttering like feathers
against porcelain
cheekbones

once
i was worshiped in the backseats
of cars and at
parties. i devoured
the flesh and
drank the attention like
heady wine,
filtered through the wind
boys heard on the car ride home--
my voice
like a hunting call
summoning

i was in love with
the love and the drugs
enamored with the comedown
and the anonymity
in kisses smothered in the dark
like cherries
in chocolate and it was
romantic
to me, sleeping with drug dealers and
pretending he was
someone else

but this was all once
and now i am you.