Vanishing Twin

Many twins vanish in early pregnancy, between one ultrasound scan and the next.

You are with me when the ultrasound invades

we two, alabaster cosmonauts,

sleeping naked in crimson cloaks,

two pistols in a presentation box.

My life becomes your life.

You touch.

My hand is at your throat, where it rests.

Someone will say

“Look the larger one is smiling.”

Before this sound seeks us again

through the chord that ties us – you will vanish

Before this sound seeks us again

“Look the larger one is smiling”

someone will say.

My hand is at your throat, where it rests.

You touch.

My life becomes your life.

Two pistols in a presentation box

sleeping naked in crimson cloaks,

we two, alabaster cosmonauts.

You are with me.