Mouth Open

Mouth open, saliva dripping
She nudged me by the side
Hand holding, dry eyes
Peeling oranges sweet
To turn my heart sour.

Mouth open, saliva dripping
He nudged me by the ear
“Mind holding this carton?”
Peeling oranges sweet
To turn my heart sour

Mouth open, saliva dripping
They nudged me by the back
Hand holding, wet eyes
Peeling back memories
To swirl an empty teacup.

Mouth open, saliva dripping
I nudged myself awake
Hand holding, hard erection
Letting the weight settle
Of dreams lived out in bed.

Written in a workshop after Rachel Long’s series of Open poems.