The Knife

By Jean Valentine

In my sleep:
Fell at his feet wanted to eat him right up
would have but
even better
he talked to me.

Did I ask you to?
Were those words my blood-sucking too?

Now I will have a body again
move differently, easier back to the plan
a little house a woman and a man

crossed against yours my soul will show
glow through my breastbone:
Back down into the kitchen
yours

Here I will save you
others have failed, even died, but I
will save you you save me devour me away
up

Woke up:
I can cry but I can’t wake up
today again don’t answer the door
then did couldn’t look at you talk
couldn’t place the bed in the room, or where the room was
when I closed my eyes

This is the same old knife my knife
I know it as well as I know my own mouth
It will be lying there on the desk if

I open my eyes I will know the room very well
there will be the little thrown-out globe of blood we left
and every molecule of every object here will swell
with life. And someone will be at the door.