Catch And Release

When word reaches you
that he is “boning your girlfriend,”
consider that the word “boning”
as an angler uses it
implies a change
from a catch and release policy
to one of greater commitment.

From where you stand
they’re apparently
passing a joint on her back porch.
“Bone” is of course
another word for “joint”
and for one second you allow yourself
to think that maybe
this is the type of boning
the gossip means: the sharing
of substances.  And then you think,
of course it is that exactly, no matter
what “bone” refers to.

Ah, rationality:
the fisher tosses his line,
decides that this one, he’ll keep
and consume.  You catch a hint
of his catch and try to shake it off,
but the hook’s in and set now.
Smoke’s a bait, lure, scent in the water,
and you take it knowing it’s fatal.
He’s boning your girlfriend.
He’s boning your girlfriend.
There are limits.