puberty came late to me and so did everything else
drifting between underdog and also-ran
but as for you, you came to me in a crescendo of silence
on a filthy strip of sidewalk where day settled like a scab

you ordered extra avocado:
of course i wanna know your shadow
i slid the blade across the table:
“you be cain and i’ll be abel”

i want to guard you from boredom

on venice we pass thin old men in leather playing chess
“i’m addicted to epiphany”, you warily confess
when you leave me you’ll be sensible as matching kitchenware
i suppose the song is writing me but it’s taking fucking years

you taught yourself to play piano:
of course i want to know your shadow
i slid the blade across the table:
“you be cain and i’ll be abel”

i want to guard you from boredom