TINNITUS

At first, we long for god,
for the beloved in every depth
of our bodies
We call for love's tender hands
to moisten our wounds
that without care
would infect and swell and kill us.
But we are so ready to take an
easier friend.
A lover who will kiss us quickly
and assert that there is no cut
that the hurt does not exist
and to come watch a movie on
the couch
where we hold hands and laugh
but with the nagging hum that
we're lying
or being lied to
though it doesn't really matter which
until the hum itself seems to swell
and break
and only a ringing remains.