Black Jacket

by Chad Bennett

[Ten discrete lines: four repeated]
 

When I nodded off, I was skimming the trees 

So tender in the frenzy of, menace of 

Your keen t-shirt, back’s curve, piano keys

With what we know now could we want it back

While on TV the secret century leaks

So tender in the frenzy of, menace of 

My throat, tongue, my lip to testify 

Your paperbacks, black jacket, awkward sigh 

Like waking to the arms of a strange room 

When I nodded off, I was skimming the trees 

Or in the kitchen door with the party conked out 

Your eyes’ lines, jeans’ crease, steady sway, yours 

My throat, tongue, my lip to testify 

While on TV the secret century leaks