Book of Matthew

*dedicated to pain, the Hyannis boys, and to “all that glitters isn’t gold”*

by Ariana Akbari

Baby dear,
with smooth-faced skin
and prettyclear eyes of green,

Our tortured soul —
heart cast away
to stars on a movie screen,

When back is forward,
and up is down
how do you find your way?

I loved you like a child
you hated me like one —
out hearts never saw the light of day.

But I still meet you
in my dreams sometimes,
where you come to me as a panic:

Your grip’s so cold,
your heart’s so warm,
I’m drowning with Jack from Titanic.

Like the men I’ve held,
you lie to me
a politician’s face with an earnest mien

While I plead quietly,
my heart shot through —
your bullet not accepting me as I am.