Alexis

My old friend, Aquarius
and I, Pisces
had coffee with whipped cream
and maple syrup
every morning
every season
our toddlers
screaming, playing in the living room

we watched
and made small talk out loud
saved piercing gazes for each other
when the conversation went south

they’re listening, too
across the kitchen table you ash
exhale deeply out the window
while they’re both calling us mother
I cut up sausages and strawberries
into bite size pieces
Peter Rabbit is our reprieve
For a perfect day.

I remembered a time
we took turns cleaning

each other’s blood
off your kitchen floor

and another
you showed up early
(never a knock on my door)
from the top of the stairs I looked at your arms full

I said the only thing keeping me together
is this corset I’m wearing under my shirt

you dropped everything

started laughing

and showed me yours