Albert K. Ashes-Bury Getting Aware of Winces… Actually, He’s Not

“The way the eyes of saints are painted”
—Billy Collins, ‘Love’

I love the way you apply lip balm
before getting into bed. Do you do that
with him too? I understand.

I sometimes wonder if he notices
you doing it like I noticed you
doing it but I cannot really imagine

anyone having the stomach
to relive it and relive it and relive it
like I do: I understand. Whoever

were you?
Why did you do that with your lip balm?
Why would you do something

so ridiculous? As I write about you
applying lip balm before bed.
I understand.

No in fact, I don’t.

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