behind the sounds of

wasp stings between my ears—

bringing pressure and prevalence,

to the present tense.

sitting by the entrance;

(where child was once carried)

my limbs, one, by, one

contracting in conflagration

and Jasmine; the adjacent aide, seldom a worry in sight. wasp stings hit my eyes, rolling back to the light.

upstairs, the man speaks, the woman speaks, I speak; no one here.

behind the sounds of

any god between my ears—

bringing life and pertinence,

to my past tense.