WE COULD BE LOVERS / WHERE THE SUN SHINES

even when u brush me

w/ ur snapback

i stand strong like diva

dad in lifetime movie

meatless slice

bleeding down one sock

bedroom eyes

iran-contra of truth

brimming w/ some shit

i keep to myself

no chumps

only winners

look at that blood

hitting the floor

commemorative ribbons

an impossible regimen

PUPPY

pls listen closely as our menu options have changed — u lie — they have not changed — everyday i try to be the version of myself i think u most love[d?] — a longshot like turning texas blue — there are no simple explanations — my boyfriend the algorithm — what does it know — these creatures — how do they live — how could i breathe

say my name

or just hold me

MICHAEL CHANG (they/them) is the author of SYNTHETIC JUNGLE (Northwestern University Press, 2023), TOY SOLDIERS (Action, Spectacle, 2024) & THE HEARTBREAK ALBUM (Coach House Books, 2025). They edit poetry at Fence.