a highway runs through the garden of eden

i strip mall myself & then i feel 
almost better. eat apples in parking lots.
pillow talk with a dumpster. the demons sulk
collecting broken glass & hurling it
at the wrought iron garden gates. when eden
shows up along the side of the road i try
to drive with my eyes closed. i don't want
mythology. at least not anymore. i want 
only to be fed. a stoplight bears fruit.
i don't believe i was ever naked. maybe 
in a past life as a lemon. now, i just open my mouth
& wait for snakes to come.