After Terrance Hayes

Let me begin again. We were
a couple of boiled eggs looking for a soldier,
a determined collection of crumbs
who knows what they want. Let me begin again.
We were ducks. Let me begin again.
We ordered vegetarian duck and chose a film
to sleep to. Let me begin again. We never met.
I stayed in the past wearing unopened skin
but you still had hands the size of diggers
scooping voices into your ears. Let me
begin again. You offered me some cake.
Let me begin again. You offered me
some lemon drizzle cake.

© Carl Burkitt 2021