room of failed words

I once wrote a love note on the
water and hoped it came rushing
back to you. You found my hiding
place in the forest, the tree

with the road of trees upon it.
There’s a billiard ball floating
where my mouth should be. You
still kept your women even after

the confessions, your teeth
liquefying into tan lean legs.
Still the paintings kept showing
in my face. Always sitting and

crying out, your body or a fish
left squirming in the sofa.
To catch you I’ll toss rusted
spoons in the air, the lake

shaped like an eye, its lashes
of cattails. Our house left open,
ladies with veils hung
on every wall. Singed circles

of holes spreading through dresses,
the sound of wings flapping,
taking flight at every door.