Another tinkered-with creation of last spring....
Alarm
She hammers the snooze bar, gulping sleep
in nine-minute shots, breathing
untoasted gin, her tongue pulsing
with headache thirst and false
oaths. I tread the slick waxed
floor. The dingy heels of thin, backless
house shoes fall in heavy slaps
across the dark wood. Curling lip
behind teeth, I drum her door, inch it with chilled
fingers. She moans, nostrils filled
in waves with kitchen air---the bittersweet
gurgle of hazelnut coffee,
salty wet pop of marbled pink
bacon cuts---I nudge her. She pukes
in acid, throaty heaves, white of her eyes
crawling with tender red vessels, glazed,
bulging secrets,
mirroring regret.