best friends

i feel this way about everyone
i meet now.
i cant seem to know anybody
i cant seem to help anyone
of get much of help
to touch somebody
to really see in their face that
i g-e-t their whole gig here.
i cant seem to get moved
to feel like i am growing a new
arm out of the mind, or at least
grow some good muscles for the arms i have
already.

something else needs to happen
for this kind of connection
some kind of specific chemistry
or evolution
when organs open like windows
and tumbles of wind
and soft leaves are allowed in;
each tooth swings open
and your tonsils can finally see their
first inch of blue sky.

( third degree burns and then
dips you into a mug of half and half
until the new skin feels
fresh paint
or the pink belly of a dog.)


i know i can know someone like this
by the way you rested your arm
over my sleeping chest
this morning.
i know you completely
even when i don't
even if weve said everything we can say
i can hear your ticking
inside me like
the wheels inside a clock moving