you came around 
when i was four
eating coffee beans by the handful
from a bag
that sat wedged against the armrest 
of your Chrysler Plymouth 
filterless camels
caftan and headdress
belly dancers on 35mm
taped to the bedroom wall

baklava and leather loafers
my best friend

once i walked across South Bend
to ring the doorbell to your apartment
i was six
you were dying your hair

you mixed sugar on a plate 
of tahini
i ate it with my fingers 
like some sort of stray animal

until my mom came and got me