You think it must be worth heaven
at the end of the month
when swollen skin begins to heal,
and strings begin to melt.
That first day,
before it rises, is the birth of a lizard
working to delight a scarlet rose
to bear a heavy bulge of pain.
There is heaven
when you play after recovery
from morning woods
to evening calls.
But when your scarlet rose fails
to bear a heavy bulge of pain,
lonely is the heaven
your lizard is worth to fend.