takotsubo

by SHERRY LUO

I have my finger in your mouth
A hook in a fish’s lips
I have no trouble calling you a fish
now

Moon-glint lubricates my knuckles
as I search for the ladder in your throat
Am I toying with your gills
now

It all started when I fell
in love with the color plum
in the depths of an octopus 
trap

I am telling you how to say my name
You don’t get to choose 
to include a pause to breathe
now