he liked it black
scalding his tongue
to wake to pain rather
than wait for caffeine’s
slow tugging

that was his way
while she lay on crumpled sheets
breathing the air they scented
with their raw rolling

he wanted a reminder
a scorched tongue to bring him back
to his solitude--to remind him
their naked chants cast a spell

that lasted no longer
than the moon’s arc if they were lucky enough
to be fooled their union meant immortality

rather than a desperate throbbing
in fading light, with him closing his eyes
to avoid her stare

and her wondering where
he went in the aftermath of lust while
she slept with dripping dreams…

she only knew
what he said each new morn:
he liked it black