***
Every waking moment, I stood poised,
listening, for the sound
of my name, carried by your breath
into my hands, to be cherished
and consumed slowly, bite by bite,
through all the watches of the night.
When at last I slept
I took the thought of you to bed with me
and when I awakened
my eyes searched the room for you
and your absence
breaks my heart a little more each time.
If I close my eyes, however,
you are here with me
sleek and lovely, burnished
stringing pearls of sweat
along the straining curve of spine.
Tangled in your hair, harsh silk against my lips
fingertips exploring the fineness of you
imprinting skin and scent,
animal satisfaction in that timeless space
a memory of heat for another morning
when again I wake alone.
listening, for the sound
of my name, carried by your breath
into my hands, to be cherished
and consumed slowly, bite by bite,
through all the watches of the night.
When at last I slept
I took the thought of you to bed with me
and when I awakened
my eyes searched the room for you
and your absence
breaks my heart a little more each time.
If I close my eyes, however,
you are here with me
sleek and lovely, burnished
stringing pearls of sweat
along the straining curve of spine.
Tangled in your hair, harsh silk against my lips
fingertips exploring the fineness of you
imprinting skin and scent,
animal satisfaction in that timeless space
a memory of heat for another morning
when again I wake alone.
