echo city

come here says the forest
of suitcases. once i loved you
so much i turned into
your reflection. we talked
like stone sisters do:
of the earth's hidden rage. 
you carried me in a lunch box.
the ice pack kept me alive.
leaves falling & turning
into slippers. have you ever tried
to barter with the moon? have you ever
asked a tree say your name?
my voice has divuts where 
syrup can congregate.
my teeth fall out as piano keys.
there is a song you cannot name
that plays & plays until
it is a scream. i once shouted
so loud that my face
became a basement. everyone
took shelter there. the storm
was not as bad as they said
it was going to be. knees
tucked into chests. shivering.
i give you back your paintings
& wish i would have hexed them
before returning them.
how do you stop coming back?
i return to every knife
at my knees. the knife says,
you look amazing tonight.
i kiss the blade.