the plan is to sprinkle promises
on your diary of mimosa. each room
a page shrunk in once-view. by turning.
you'll know which parts i've left unread
just by looking at the way they spread.
promise 1: i'll remind you that we are
the shiver in the water the oyster listens
to and imagines the flight of its pearl.
promise 2: i won't send you pictures
from the funeral. i won't remind you
that my shoulders are hearses. i won't
remind you that you cannot rehearse.
promise 3: i'll garden fire in your eyes.
i'll shear pleasure in the pea-and-sun shape
of your sleep. i won't be the knife's flute.
i'll be your dreamslough. i'll be an ovaloid
of hours around your stay. i won't mistake
deadheading for both loss and growth.
promise 4: i promise you i want to see you
continue.
~ ajay
1/10/2024
