३० minutes

-30 minutes later-

he punches in the password, pushes the heavy door open. the apartment is dark except for the aquarium.

is that you?

it be me

what did you forget?

nothing. i picked you up some half & half and a pack of smokes

lights?

yup

he opens the fridge and puts the half & half in the top shelf of the door. walks into the bedroom and hits the soft-light switch. he is surprised to see a bottle of club soda on her nightstand and surprised to see that there is no sheet on the mattress. she is laying on her side, her back to him, her hair in spools held together by tiny, colorful puzzle-piece clips.

Nina..

if you are going to speak to me, sit down.

the hand in the voice pushes him down.

Nina..

what?

do you need quarters for laundry?

no. the sheet came off and i was too lazy to put it back on

oh.

the little black clock on the nightstand ticks like a bomb.

mind if i hang out for awhile.. i could sketch you in that pose

what would you call it...?

~~~

Nina closes her eyes
she is drowning between the lines
sunlight, hitting water like blood
paraphrased by slush, bits of scale
circulating thru patches of coral
sinking deeper, the water a throat
of eyelashes, of ink, torn flesh
moonbitter scars that pop and bulge
the taste of soundlessness
worlds under worlds touching
pieces of heaven dotted
with sky, soft as toes in the sand