we had so much fun in dreams:

those coasts where cinders become sandcastles

and we’d spill our guts before the sea.

My name means “strong” in Hebrew, but I ain’t no hebe

she giggled as I hid my star.

What’s your name?

The static waves washed our sins clean

—yours was obvious, said the coroner—

and I tried to remember.

we walked to the abandoned missile silo 

where we pretended to nuke the Japanese.

Let’s bomb ‘em to the ground!

she thundered against the Nike white.

My obaasan’s ricecakes ashed when I took her hand

and uncomfortably played cowboy.

The beachside forest was a crackling battleline.

When was the last time you felt alive, Avery?

Precious from your lips.

I lowered my twig rifle, cocked my head,

and I tried to remember.

our lunch was processed turkey with cherry soda,

the taste of coal-chugging factories.

Want some? she exclaimed as she

extracted Fireball from the backpack.

I shook my head.  No.

Tears sizzled on cobblestone as she smouldered faster

with each vicious swig.

Why can’t I feel?

We sobbed our eyes blue 

and I tried to remember why I hated you.

then I woke up and remembered.