The Water In Brooklyn

Body wants to give, but give
for want. Lays the arms out

like oars. Nothing else
smells like the ocean save for your hair

after salt has tied into. Fingers
of the Navy Yard Basin make a pass

at the BQE. By East Mill, Body
pulls a tooth from its mother,

her mouth the rigid shore. Says
when none of us were happy

we went to the creeks, separate
like corners. We are arrows

in the same animal. Infidelity
has always tempted us.

We’ll both sleep alone tonight. I wore
this lipstick for myself.

Somewhere, we are spectators at a wedding
The dance floor is an armory

If I am a blood-red lip
you are a mouth of bad cornmeal.