When we said young we meant
loose we meant

untouched or untamed. You the dear
with blackberry

lip and snarl: I used to dress you with juice
stain on cheek and knee.

You used to dress me: unwashed pearls, rotted
fruit, seeds blackened teeth.

Don’t vex: don’t disturb the motion
when the body

confuses you, when the tongue feels for the empty
paint brush, taste of thistle.

Mothers painted portraits of me in my sleep: no
jaunt chin. Dark and ugly.