Pearl

by Elmast Kozloyan

I didn’t come
for your pearls
but I’ll take them anywayYou place a diamond
on my tongue
I swallow
spit out steel nails
to your feet

Glide gems
over my body
until my skin
absorbs their pigmentation
Glowing
aurora-esque hues

In a certain light
your eyes
glare gold
and pupils elongate
Your tongue
flickers as you speak

Thumbing cigarette
ash on my forehead
Tequila tranquil-
izers shot up my throat