Delivery

Yesterday a package appeared
at my desk-
a padded brown envelope

sealed
tight with selotape licked
yellow by the sun.

The envelope wasn’t new,
the corners were creased-
it had been used before.

I took the package
into the cupboard where
I could be alone.

I cut open
The envelope with
my keys, careful

not to damage the contents.
Inside her fingerprints unfolded
like tiny maps.

I unbuttoned my shirt,
slipped them inside,
waited

until it was time
to leave.
Later heavy rain fell.

The wind pulled at my face
as I ran home
beside the park

where dogs on leads
saw straight
through me.

As night let slip I nailed
her finger prints to the wall
behind my bedroom door;

safe
where they can do
no harm.