Every time you breathe, I don’t.
Scripture is your utterance, the lilt in your speech.
One of us is simply choosing ignorance, blissful be its mask.

A thousand little fragments of something into which my brain shatters, reflecting
the heat that sizzles from our very spot of collision. Guts squeeze,
4D might exist, and you can’t see it. Still, telepathy could have been a curse.

Laced fingers through my hair and I stay struck stupid
by your voice, the sweetness carried, desperately drawing up clues.
A carelessly meaningful stroke of the thumb, wipes away sin from my cheek.
The crime is passion not committed.

Abstinent from your dangerous gaze, it's a drug. The perfect addict,
shaken with your simple touch, your pure being: a dizziness.
It’s caught on your collarbone. Dismiss a flicker of something like silver, as if
fingernail moons are nothing to look at, foggy in youth.

Flippant, effortless humor is, decoded, variations on an enigma.
We make this game harder to play, compelled.
Keep your rulebook on a chalkboard, just so you can smudge it easy.
Grin, and all is forgotten, forgiven.

Fear sits somewhere between my heart and my lips,
and these dear words I have for you are mistaken
for the innocence of a friend.


Authors note: I wrote this when I realized I was in love with my best friend. when I showed her this poem she laughed at me and then kissed me