Scrub & Scrub & Scrub

hosting a parasite
is a comforting thought--
I'd name him Charlie
& we'd have coffee
he'd drink the foam
from my latte & swim
back up to my mouth
& slip & slide down my
tongue--he'd explore
down there &
recount his findings
in a travel log (Jen:
Inside & Out)
whispering it to me
as a bedtime story
from my ear-
lobe as I tug on
the sheets--he'd glint
in my eye like resident
evil to ward off
intruders--for Halloween
I'd swallow a scab &
he'd fashion a shawl
I'd pour a thimble
of Scotch & down it--
it'd hit him in a wave:
he'd stumble & slur
my name, stopping
to give me a hug
from the inside
out.