a love song to lil gap tooth, starburst swingset sang about heartbreak you somehow already knew,

ragamuffin of the “girl” scout troop.

to bruised knees and blonde bangs you cut for control and the bereft tuft that never returned.

someday, I’ll tattoo you all over, sayang,

not to stain your skin story, a soft armor,

but to remind you you’re mine.

to bright eyed, bushy-tailed, bald-headed

baby botak who awoke with “yay! breakfast!”

someday, I’ll change your name,

but preserve the truest parts.

that old name will creep up like

ghost orbs in old photos, barely there

but for the hairs raised on your neck nape.

call it a backwards beard or a fuzzy cape.

a love song to boy titties and topless youth,

to flat pubescence to praying for bursting bras

to answered prayers to praying for pecs to praying for absence to chest cancer double predisposition to negative broca test to ink beetle blessed sternum

to now, to know, to nest, to next

to always paint and protect you, precious prinxe.