Fairuz in America
Collage by Lina.
at a store i used to go to back when we both lived in the same different city i try on
hot pink glittery pants that hug my pelvis bones;
like bones we grow when
nobody is watching
we empty ourselves
of all hidden cash-stashes
trying to hang ourselves between heartzones, that
you might live long enough to see my ass in these hot pink glittery pants or at least
my face. you arrive in a country you cannot enter i think tomorrow will be the day
they close the airport and we all go home in style
i ask once, where are you
when you are home?
denied the privilege
of considering camouflage
fashionable we wear sequins & gold mesh dresses
build conspicuous armor for conspicuous bodies; glitter & gold & hair & more hair
what is it to ask your far away lover to follow you further? a bed & this split tongue
all you can offer, my stomach chamomile-flowered
i am certain only of glitter
that it covers us still
even when we have
scrubbed each other wholly
down it holds to skin & wood & fabric & us & us. ◆