Played

She would break his heart
in ways he knew
he could grow to love -

how she spoke his name
like smoke,
drawing it out
in cool blue syllables
between her teeth,
her mouth talking that sweet trash
he coveted like new coin.

the red spike heels
he could feel crack his spine
and the slit of her eyes
stripping his muscles and tendons
down to tender shoots
crushed against her chest -
her bones on his,

the sound of being played.