desire won over by desire is not the same as satisfaction

if there are nests discarded on the sidewalk 

I step around them knowing what it costs to weave one 

once my shadow was the shape of a bear or egg with arms and legs

now slim and bony the boys sucked the melon-sweet milk right out of

                            a letting, flesh mongers

and if the nest, a relic, outlasts the wind, rain, marauders,

it is always the cupped halo of ambivalence

desire won over by desire is not the same as satisfaction nor lust nor yet resolve

I don't believe in happiness

 

[Rachel Zucker {1971- } 'if there are nests discarded', from The Bad Wife Handbook]