i feel the heat in my cheeks
and from your hands
say it again
when i sleep
when i lay on fields
when i pick on the pedals
whisper it in my ear when we're alone
to me, it lost its meaning, becoming
an overused invaluable phrase
something everyone expects but never gets
i did for sure, and learned my lessons
but from you, it was different
nothing less than my shooting star wish
i landed on the right pedal
you say it when you are
when i think you're not, but you mean it
but you always remind me
and show me you do,
i do too.

There are things
I did not do.

I did not  touch
you.  

You
died. Without
a sound.

Your soft brown eyes pierced me.
I saw you go in the quiet
way you did everything.
I knew you were gone
but not before I
knew sadly, silently
that
I
could not hold
you in a final

embrace.

Closeness had run out
so long ago,

though we loved until the end,

bereft of speech,
as we we were bereft of
touch.

I bowed to your
blank stare.

I would have died for
you if I could have.  

but I could not
save you from
this destiny

with the Father

Who

Loved

you



Caroline Shank
2.2,2023

Madrigal.

Mes deux mains a l'envi disputent de leur gloire,
Et dans leurs sentiments jaloux
Je ne sais ce que j'en dois croire.
Philis, je m'en rapporte à vous,
Réglez mon amour par le vôtre :
Vous savez leurs honneurs divers,
La droite a mis au jour un million de vers ;
Mais votre belle bouche a daigné baiser l'autre ;  
Adorable Philis, peut-on mieux décider,
Que la droite lui doit céder ?

(Réponse de Mademoiselle Serment.)

Si vous parlez sincèrement
Lorsque vous préférez la main gauche à la droite,
De votre jugement je suis mal satisfaite.
Le baiser le plus doux ne dure qu'un moment ;
Un million de vers dure éternellement,
Quand ils sont beaux comme les vôtres :
Mais vous parlez comme un amant,
Et peut-être comme un Normand ;
Vendez vos coquilles à d'autres.

You asked me what I wanted
A soft life, I replied
You poured me another glass of red
In an iridescent cup
When I press it to my lips
It is sweet
I have lived
Through enough bitterness
A soft life. You promised.

Climb into my bed
Warm skin on gray sheets
I tilt my head back
One more kiss
Before the moon
Takes over for the sun
One more kiss

I hate that
In the rhythm of your ecstasy
In the rawness of your craving
I became powerless
To ignore the hunger
That your eyes fed mine

It's like the entire world feels right
whenever I see you.

A smile so tiny.
A glance so quick.
My heart just skipped a beat.

Don't speak harshly,
Your words will form swords in me

Touch my cheek; speak gently,
And they will form worlds in me