Autobiography no. 5

I liked the shape of your hips
and the kindness you showed to animals.
I didn’t like the way you dyed your hair
but that was none of my business.

In some ways I have seen you in every woman
but your voice was like none of theirs.
Your vowels were harsh and clipped,
or long like the trail of goosebumps climbing up your back
as I grasped a handful of your hair and pulled your mouth to mine.

I might have fallen in love with you
if I could have believed that you were not real.