A Tedious Delusion

Curiosity and intensity
like a junkie at the edge of
my nails bitten down, cracked
spitting words and rhythms
a patterned floor and a microphone
hands clap too loud, too creative
the pulse too rapid
your words lay needles at my feet
bare and blistered, walking slightly
to the right, left -

Curiosity and desire
like a vagrant migrant on the first rung
my skin bruised, bleeding
grabbing fistfuls of emptiness
a banquet table and stacked chairs labeled
bodies gathered 'round, no room for mine
the conversation too complicated
your needs place demands in my hands
already so full of similarities
the commonalities innumerable and unspoken
from the right, left.