Tina Kotrla

Some nights there is a shadow of you
on my bed. Your cheekbones frame
deep loss, your clavicles remorse
and the wrinkled skin of your elbows
feels like regret. I will make you beautiful
while you sleep. Your nailbeds will be
topaz and your eyelids pinpricks of
citrine. Fire opals will stipple your
spine and your thighs will be smooth
jade. If I curve my body around your
shadow, the darkness will deepen
and we will go down together.
Someone, please, shower us in
moonstone. Let the jewels of our
bodies shine as we float like two
spooning insects suspended in
amber.