bribe money to keep you alive I give it out of love morphine-drip comfort when you muster the will to cut your hair and donate your dad’s vinyl records I know you plan to leave your breath and pulse behind and me—byproduct of the past year a sunk cost you’ve written off but I’m stuck in the bargaining stage I touch your face (my hands are cold I’m sorry) and say honey please stay another week okay just one more day |