Don’t ask for love
If you love your skin
And won’t unwear it
In a fire’s fear.

Don’t ask for love
If the tremble & dark
Make an animal more
Than you wish to be.

Don’t ask for love
If an adornment you seek
To embellish your
Vacant hours & being.

Ask for love when
You own the swell
Of oceans & wear
The petrichor of yearn.

Ask for love when
Your flesh & restraint
Hurl into earth’s pyre
And scream rebirth.