leave the car warm
after parking in the sun

it’s the way I have to be the first
to go, the first to leave

the party, no one can die before me,
cut off like deadlines, winter hair, contact

with a friend or parent (maybe
in the end, someone who was neither),

cut off like I as someone who loves you
will not let you do this to yourself

anymore, cut off like give me that,
go to sleep,

I’ll be here in the morning and I’ll
leave the car warm

your headaches don’t let up
but neither do I, make a pharmacy

out of every dip and crater
this flesh makes around this skeleton,

has to be me before you, don’t leave me
hanging, not after this