he does his makeup
in the corner
rose blush a facade
of the flush
from the night before
after our love-making

the light coming through
from the small window
overlooking the alley
breaks off the mirror
& beams across his foot
i want to kiss

i can’t kiss him now
lips rouged
put together
unlike me
scratched knees
& wrinkled shirt

i wonder how long this time will last
until he’s gone