Cloaked in lies you reek of her particular stench,

it makes my nose burn until I think I’ll sneeze.

I look at you

and see embers of her reflection

blaze across your eyes,

it makes my eyes burn until I think tears

will creep out from beneath my clenched eyelids.

Her moans slink across my fingertips

when my hand brushes against your hot skin

and I burn in the bowels of my stomach until I think

I might retch the bile rising up and into my throat.

With my head against your chest,

I hear your heart beating out her name.

I raise my head wondering

if you will deny hearing it, too.

I see your lips saying, “I love you”,

but I can’t hear the words

over the beating of your heart

or the burning of my own.