Anglerfish Love

I followed bioluminescent

deep-sea Google Maps to find

you flashing your tawny

midriff, on which I nibbled

playfully, read you bad poetry

about two becoming one,

before latching on. Best day ever

for a dude, right? freeloading,

hanging out in my underwear

night and day in the TV room,

letting you have your way

with me from time to time—

you know I could never resist

the sweet esca of your illicium—

feed from your fridge, watch

Adam Sandler movies until

my eyes and even limbs fell off.

But, baby, you don’t come around

much anymore, only to complain

about the beer bottles, the sheen

of salt and vinegar chips on my lips.

I see the way you walk the red

coral, now, holding up your light

like a siren to every passing sailor.

(first published in Hartskill Review, 2016)