All night tightening, rolled smooth

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All night tightening, rolled smooth
and bone --when the water comes
this soap will boil to the surface
past the surface
—it takes all night to disappear.

I peel my arms as if pain
fragrant from distance and ecstasy
—I need more fingers
—I need to walk and the water

is rubbing my arms :great lamps
lit inside, around and around
wide open and water when it comes
washes over me
hovering in those blue lights
magicians wave to steady the beautiful assistant
the hoops back and forth
preparing my flight down, my hands on fire
and water held close when it comes.

Even stars need love
quicken from a little mist and in my eyes
the few tears could be whispers
—who can tell. The mirror is so far.

Everything is so far.
I don't hear my arms
all night bathing those old love songs.
I don't hear the soap flare up
or see or the lost fire raging in my eyes.