Eat Me

I was born rotten
or else something burrowed in my neck
so long ago I can't remember

Behind my eyes
black lines are pulsing
crossing and intertwined
suffocating true veins
A nest is growing

Dark stripes down my arms
twisting my hands
parting the skin from under the nail
as sprouts take root
like hairs on a thistle

When I touch your face
a rash will form
then black lines will crawl behind your eyes

Whatever I touch
consumed by rot
my life, my love
I must eat