Crickets play in my head 
 trilling 
 
 see see see see 
 me me me me 
 seem seem seem seem 
 
louder and louder they sound 
 
 see see see see 
 me me me me 
 seem seem seem seem 
 
“Seem what? Seem what?” 
 I shriek. 
 
A katydid answers in the pause — 
 
 in love with me 

 in love with me. 
 
I thaw in my own hot water; 
under cover of night 
 is all I can be, 
to pretend with them 
 as I descend. 

Preview from my upcoming 2023 collection The Soul Without a Summer