HellSpeak

With my ear pressed

into the back of her neck

I heard

          I heard a pulse;

whether ‘twas hers or mine

I do not know

but it was fast and arrhythmic

like cars.

Cars like wasps flailing

about the intersection

waiting

          waiting to tell you

          a thing or two about sadness.

And I’m stuck

stuck trying to start my apartment

with my car key.

Three seconds gone,

but goddamn

you’d swear it was four

for counting on you

          I’m counting you on

the walls

walls that have discovered

a tenured footprint

somewhere.

          Somewhere

sparkling water will sustain you

better than tap

dance water

but it’s not yet 1

          I’m not yet drunk

you’re not yet fun.