Islands of Fire

Stop signs reflected in your eyes. I asked you for water you said sure, here’s another. I am taking a small break from eating your bacteria. I need some time to relax. You are talking too much at me, and I’m hearing nothing. It’s like being underwater. I can tell that you’re mad at me and I don’t know how to relate to you what it is that’s going on. I’m drowning. I’m expanding. My insides are turning out to be a lot more interesting. My mother warned me about you. She looked just like you. She said you would be waiting for me here with bells and islands of fire in your hair. She said not to bother. Ma, I said, I have to.