Geology, you give

You gave me a box of rocks
I didn't know what to do with old fossils

for people who have come and gone
only left their core, a bone in exchange

for sins, for laughs, for kindness
or cheer hatred. this is a revelation

of the things I could not do now
at my age, no longer an explorer

with scraped knees and a clean slate
of rocks, soft by a seaside I never saw

I myself have hardened, with sand
with minutes, with cruel lovers

to that you add a piece of rock
next time, give me a silk-scarf
a shoulder kiss or a hug
that way I will no longer need rocks.