Act III, COMPLETE DARKNESS. Naked.

You say
We are communicating through unrelated
acts of insecurity

I say
Kiss me, I am beautiful.

You say
I am a mountain goat in the poolhouse, bucking

I say
I am one thousand wild horses.

You say
Artichoke flowers, a book of thorns incapsulated

I say
listening, always.

You say
I appreciate you

I say
but what does that mean?

You say
until the tide comes in

and turtles freckle the shore like dark, glass plates

I say
you say nothing.

and you say nothing