Max

Shredded cuticles behind chewed nails,

Hands rough with calluses,

I hold one,

The other holds a cigarette,

Smoking seems kind by other habits,

Nicotine hugs and holds his eager shy ease,

Its leave leaves him vulnerable to displease,

Friendships his in multitude,

Ones to give room,

Ones to share work,

Ones to converse,

And one to calm,

The cherry pulses red,

As he pulls in his breath,

Glows brighter than the city lights in the depth,

Patchy hair plastered on pasty skin,

Wide and muscular back,

I stroke it,

When he's secure enough to turn,

Tell him he's perfect though he's not,

His potent lack of responsibility,

Swollen by his incoherent quality,

Choices his in multitude,

Military,

Culinary,

Electrician,

And apathy,

No sense of his future,

Choose the obvious choice,

Continue to pretend others have a voice,

High cheekbones topped with small hazel eyes,

Large lips and twisted teeth,

I kiss them,

They'll kiss whatever kisses back,

I never thought I'd love again,

He never thought he could be loved to begin,

So I tell him he's human and lift his chin,

Our abounding adventures,

Travel about,

Eat foreign foods,

Sleep through the heat,

All side by side,

I'll give him all I have,

But I will go away,

Hope to look him in the face some far fair day.