A Banana a Day

from my knees a heathen still
pressing penitent pushups into the stained hotel carpet
witch's brew bubbling in my plastic nalgene cauldron
caffeine inquisitors drip drip drip
interrogators of my dramatic impulses
blood sacrifice to fast-twitch science
I filter mushroom creatine through a pirate's twisted moustache
twinkling gleen of green soup
sword swallowers and men in black masks
my childhood hero parade

coming up red face
aging into a corset I am battling with sugar babies to control
they play a big black piano on my ribcage
I play a mouth harp on my guts
sallow mush of self-hate shoved into my cold morning mouth
once, I was a boy splashing in ditch water
now, I drink that ditch water daily
a mud tongue love affair
a hundred yellow years

could I save a baby burning on the stove?
could I catch you if you stole my purse?
I guess it just keeps getting harder
my lungs like a pair of suitcases stuffed with weekend cocaine
my bank account stuffed with canceled streaming services
I'll die penniless in panties and torn stockings
my gams finally conquered
my torn heart burst on a perfect pair of pecs

but not just yet
oh boy
the best dressed poet in Montreal has confessed his sins
there are still a few of y'all left to meet
without our clothes
kissing when the sun comes up
my hope is to wear this skin well
this suit for the world
for all of you.

TA