Exchange

Bloodily, you push the

hooked thumb

deeper into your sternum

wincing with shallow breaths

remove a small piece

of your heart

throw it defiantly

against the wall

to slap and fall

cool quickly on the laminate.

I suck my teeth

and shrug

“Not bad”

hand you a small

white towel.

I roll my neck

take a few short breaths

insert the Stanley blade

quickly unzip

from navel to clavicle.

“Let me do it”

you say.

A step closer.

Your hands inside me

retrieving three feet

of intestine.

“Pretty good”.

“I hate you I love you”

“I hate you I love you too”

On the window pane

the sound

of a gentle rain.