zero

your mind is a zero
everything ends and begins
in a circle
never out of line
always repeating never surprising

it is inevitable
that envy seeps in
like shared stink in shared spaces

holy wars are fought without mystery
or miracles

embrace invites like a dog-collar
apprehending bruises and wounds
yelps of pain do not help

This is Traditional, so this is Safe.
This is Practice, so this is Not Rape.

beyond question
compromises sting
so deep

your devotion is
not a clause, it is
omni-expected

hung
like a wall
calendar
the dates of your bleeding
are when you don't get to give sex
dates marked in red, dates painted black

your life seeks a zero
yet you win
yet you succeed
yet you are
happily married.