surgeons are like lovers
but they cut too deep
they lay you open with their tools

I'm looking past your skin
epidermis
subcutaneous layers
nerve, cord, bone

he uses the word "conjoined"
like the twin you had who
didn't survive

I'm thinking of your nerves
entwined umbilical
confounding textbooks, case studies

how little can lovers tell
from brushing up against flesh
tentative and glancing