the leeches hold her love
in their soft, creek-soaked bodies,
their bladed mouths stealing
into the secrets running through her veins.
they kiss the freckles on her knees
and flatten themselves
against her shoulder blades,
clipped wings.
these mud-hearted worms
think they can grow feathers and spread out,
catch the sun between their frames.
they think if they try hard enough
they can make this girl fly.
