WATERMARK

you walk through my dreams holding
      my pain in your hands like coals
           your flesh peels back burning I
                lay down beside you my skin
                          peeled back I turn the knife on

myself you peel my fingers
    back you take it from me and
           still I kill you in my dreams
                because you are there (because
                          he is not) and because I

believe you are immortal
    and cannot be harmed even
           though I know that every-
                thing dies especially love
                          especially loving me