Split Lip

Andy Martinez || Fall 2025

I’ve got a few sweet teeth for your sugar,
The taste still lingers on my tongue.
Until it starts to rot at the nerve,
And makes me spit them out, one by one.

You scream till the mirror shakes,
Then soothe me with your lullabies,
And when I lay in bed beside you,
I hold my cross and hope to die.

When you lay your hands on me,
Should I just sit and smile?
Maybe put on a pretty face
While I choke and sputter on the bile?

Is this the love you wanted?
Once the silence finally settles?
When you kiss my split lip,
Can you still taste the metal?