The Empty Room by Amanda Joy
Such a weight,
these empty arms.
Your anaemic hands
like limp birds.
Women dressed like white moths
flap in and out saying nothing.
The insidious sweetness
of those flowers
near your bed.
Someone's swept the life
into the corners
of this room
again.
I traipse mud in on my boots;
(I buried that old stray cat today)
Small things.
I bring you small things.
I breathe to scale.
I want to laugh
for both of us.
I help you dress
in orange silk;
It reminds us
of swimming naked
amongst the flowers
we threw in the ocean.
I want to shout
the white out.
I feed you ruby grapefruit.
Curl beside you
while you sleep.
We are half our size
in this tiny room,
stunted accomplices
giggling exclusions.
I disorder the books.
leave some coffee stains
on the paperwork.
So much paper.
I sweep your hair up
into a mad nest,
I look into your honest eyes,
I kiss your bitten nails,
I keep my words
inside a smile.
Tomorrow
I'm bringing in;
those loud seventies curtains;
some Soft Cell and speakers.
Just so I can hear you say;
'Fuck 'em'
these empty arms.
Your anaemic hands
like limp birds.
Women dressed like white moths
flap in and out saying nothing.
The insidious sweetness
of those flowers
near your bed.
Someone's swept the life
into the corners
of this room
again.
I traipse mud in on my boots;
(I buried that old stray cat today)
Small things.
I bring you small things.
I breathe to scale.
I want to laugh
for both of us.
I help you dress
in orange silk;
It reminds us
of swimming naked
amongst the flowers
we threw in the ocean.
I want to shout
the white out.
I feed you ruby grapefruit.
Curl beside you
while you sleep.
We are half our size
in this tiny room,
stunted accomplices
giggling exclusions.
I disorder the books.
leave some coffee stains
on the paperwork.
So much paper.
I sweep your hair up
into a mad nest,
I look into your honest eyes,
I kiss your bitten nails,
I keep my words
inside a smile.
Tomorrow
I'm bringing in;
those loud seventies curtains;
some Soft Cell and speakers.
Just so I can hear you say;
'Fuck 'em'