THE CLOSET MYSTIC

you mustn’t ever love

something without claws,

you mustn’t ever love

what cannot bite.

a hand that feeds

should be ready 

to bleed.

there’s no such thing 

as love

that draws no blood.

only shut mouths

do not bite —

only in silence 

are edges smoothed.

honesty: it is serrated.

love too.

there is no other way.