Lyrics

Soft White China Patterns On His Teeth
by Danielle Howle

The grumble
settles us
in the diner
an hour
before dusk
and the sun
with the sounds
of the town
start to slow down
can you measure
the shutting up
with a gauge
he won’t smile
but I wait
to see more of them
greedily
all the damage
little bits of healthy
open up
not too much but
just enough for me
soft white china patterns on his teeth

I am far
from appreciating
symmetry
or other objects
that repeat
hands
make good shelves
for chins
eyes freeze
ivory branches
up and down
will hold me
open up
not too much but
just enough for me
soft white china patterns on his teeth
open up
to the winding blinding
mass that bad light leaves
soft white china patterns on his teeth