love has teeth
slides deep
leaves a mark
breaks in
with a noose
in the dark
in the rafters
hangs your
every enemy
sweeps out
the rug
easy remedy
clears out
your closet
in full, before
before they can
break down
your door
searching
for your dirt
in the garden
because love
love
won’t pardon
love is
a rose
soft petals aplenty
but her thorns
they don’t spare
any
she’ll take
all
of you
you’ll pay
in full
her due
when they
come to
plunder
she’ll dazzle
with passion
and wonder
touch a
soft petal
of yours?
they’ll find
what it means
to be hers
love is
armour
impenetrable
warmth
at night
unbreakable
love will
slit their
throat
stand there
laughing
til they bloat
hate doesn’t
protect like
love does
claws to
open bellies
because
you don’t
you don’t
touch
what love does
her war
cry
comes
to your chest
blood soaked
drums
love has teeth
don’t touch
what’s hers
every wild animal
every wild animal
purrs
Daphne Shadows 