of love in place.

i felt your resin hands
clasped around my clammy veins.

after show jitters flitted through my thighs.
i performed a miracle,
a victory march of a heartbeat,
watching you fold and kick

kick me straight in the gut.
tell me why i pushed aside
a mountain that never was.

i blinked back grant street
where i couldn't hold back my stupid smile.

past forbes avenue
where i dug deep in my pocket,
texting the first gay friend in my contacts.

past exit 72a
where my heart grew wings.

past the squirrel hill tunnel
i felt small, smooth, like peanut butter
or nutella.

the stop sign nudged me
just turn already, monroeville's waiting


i'm back home, nestled under the crest
where you dance in my dreams,
on the stage where i loved you.

is there any point
in telling you
how i used to feel?