Know thyself

I know myself.

Tendon and bone and sweet tongue drop stone,

heavy between teeth, pressed warm wet secret to the roof of my

mouth.

Everything that is the world’s and mine alone.

 

This knowing is not what you came with

brightly tucked in flushed infant fist,

crib companion.

You cried and let into the world.

 

This comes with the tide washing up on the beaches you roam.

You fumble for it, sea glass smooth

in your mother’s bed, your own years later,

underneath the pillow of the lover who left you,

the sheets still warm and undone.

 

This is a hard fought prize, wear it.

Hang down your chest, shark tooth victory,

just above your heart.