a tender machine

a creation of fireworks rains into a river
i stretch, smooth, over your shoulder
igniting the hairs on the back of your neck
into raging fires of hot cheeks, skin, breath
on your face's landscape, missed heartbeat
some land in the pools, holes, pupils
of your eyes, crying lines of autumn love
into the cups i make with my hair, hands
that flick the bead away, into buckets
of forgotten boys, men, those with sore bodies
they gave up when it hurt, stung, ached
while mine is broken, fused in three directions
carvings in it like a tree, bathroom stall
but i won't stop stretching, smooth
over your shoulder.