Underwear Drawer

Underwear Drawer

I have been hurt before,
the lacy thing
the magician’s assistant.
An ordinary chest
before your eyes
from which I will pluck
a heart.

I have hurt,
the boyfriend cut-
too scared to say
I’m sorry, too sorry
to say I’m scared.

I have messed around,
with dress ups,
pretending I am
someone I am
not.
Wearing secondhandhearts
on sleeves,
a size too small.

I have washed
my delicates
in writing, and bleached
the scene in sun.
Wrung you
late at night,
drip dried
on bedroom floors.

Window open
arms around you.

Now I sleep naked.