IDENTITY THIEF

by Leigh Giza

STILL I AM HERE

ON THE OUTSIDE

PEERING IN THE WINDOW

BETWEEN US

BETWEEN THE NARROW SPACE

WHERE THE DAMASK CURTAINS MEET

I WATCH YOU LOLL

ON YOUR VELVET SOFA

I ADMIRE THE RICH

BURGUNDY COLOR OF IT

LIKE EXPENSIVE WINE

OR BLOOD PERHAPS

I HAVE LITTLE MONEY

AND LESS PRIDE

BUT YOU

SEEM TO HAVE PLENTY OF BOTH

I WILL SILENTLY SLIP THROUGH THE CRACK

BETWEEN MARBLED FLOOR AND WALL

FOR ONCE

MY INVISIBILITY WILL BE

MY GREATEST ASSET

AND I WILL TAKE BACK FROM YOU

WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE

AND I WILL NOT

FEEL SORRY

FOR YOU

FOR YOU

WILL FINALLY KNOW

HOW IT FEELS TO

HAVE NAUGHT

TO TOPPLE FROM THE TOP

OF THE TOTEM POLE

TO DANCE ALONE

TO THE SOUND

OF RAIN BOUNCING OFF DRY GROUND

MAKING PUDDLES

DEEP ENOUGH

FOR A PERSON

TO DROWN IN

AND NEVER BE SEEN AGAIN