Reality Valentine's Day

written in this prison apartment
hands stiff and unfeeling

shallow tides of thought breaking upon
shards of glass and plastic wrap

eyes bleating greeting to thin rails of sunshine
ears burning with the drone of snow and concrete
mouth cracked and pale and beggarly

bits of me weep separately behind veils of salt and soot
eyes, ears, hands, mouth, mind
mourning sensation beneath sock and glove

April is the cruelest month with birth and death
dancing tango in the rain
But February is the meanest month with icicles
tap-dancing on my brain

like a concussion my soul slaps at my innards
like t.v.
nothing is on

but Time passes. And so must February too.

on the wings of the bird of my youth
I send this Valentine to you:
I love You
be mine

You shall be no other for ever and all Time.