Planet of Love (by Richard Siken)
Imagine this:
Youâre driving.
The skyâs bright. You look great.
In a word, in a phrase, itâs a movie,
youâre the star.
so smile for the camera, itâs a big scene,
you know your lines.
Iâm the director. Iâm in a helicopter.
I have a megaphone and you play along,
because you want to die for love,
you always have.
Imagine this:
Youâre pulling the car over. Somebodyâs waiting.
Youâre going to die
in your best friendâs arms
and you play along because itâs funny, because itâs written down,
youâve memorized it,
itâs all you know.
I say the phrases that keep it all going,
and everybody plays along.
Imagine this:
Someoneâs pulling a gun, and youâre jumping into the middle of it.
You didnât think youâd feel this way.
Thereâs a gun in your hand.
It feel hot. It feels oily.
Iâm the director
and Iâm screaming at you,
Iâm waving my arms in the sky
and everyoneâs watching, everyoneâs
curious, everyoneâs
holding their breath.
