Talahiban Blues
King Llanza
First, there was the night. The side
of the highway, the moving short-sighted
lights unblinking to the nonchalant gaze
of all it passes. A man lights up a dirty flame
like a probe scouting another planet
although we’ve never met before.
He takes us behind grass which exceeds my height
a few inches. Then, he’s inside my mouth
as I position to vulnerability.
Moist soil risks stains if
I kneel. Eyes closed, he is received.
Down here, I am closer to hell. With open
eyes, I look past his silhouette:
stars. Shooting
seeds in my mouth,
I pulled away, spat it out.
Almost a diluted fantasy. Men
as strangers distant like stars, where
brilliance is in the warm white,
lost on my tongue to its own bitter taste.
The release is signal for leaving
and to lose suspicion,
I became a remnant. An aftertaste
coats my throat with struggle. Walking
back to the side of the road,
cars and trucks still pass by,
a shred of wind chasing after each one.
The highway of my desire awakens.
