WITH DARLINGS Alone I am at my very best but I seem always to be followed by darlings darlings with sharp teeth or darlings with fuzzy bodies or darlings with big bellies or darlings with wide shoulders like bookends I do not mind the darlings I do not mind the kisses from lips like long purples or little lips like shell shards I just miss myself all alone on a Craigslist mattress or a borrowed rug I miss wearing tops no bottoms cheap gold robes drinking sparkles and Stoli eating a sandwich for every meal I am a hell of a catch alone but with darlings I am less in love with myself with darlings I am momma or host or maid or teacher or quiet quiet quiet I am