THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.

i have tasted many mouths

and none of them were holy.

in my wasteland of rotten thoughts

all i remember is your damp hair and the gun under your pillow

and i can't think of the last time i prayed

but the last time i said 'my god'

was in the back of your throat

and i remember distinctly when my hands were in your hair.

laughter hidden on our lips

in the parking lot of 23rd.

i write about you more often than I'd like to admit

and think of you more than i remember you

i miss you, but i don't know what it is that i miss

and i wish i could call you

but i wouldn't know where to start

i wouldn't know when to stop.