I saw the trees veins

I tasted the sap.

I held it all together with my teeth.

I suppose I sound like your uncle right now,

the one that lives in the tent in the red

you found naked and proud

all loose skin tucked into underwear

a cigarette bourbon haze of defeat.

Suppose I am him.

I found the best part of me

kept it for you

made sure it came back clean.

I saw he knew by his eyes

when I said I couldn’t stop it myself.