the feeling of an open mouth
humid
warm
breath that comes in sighs
and blooms over skin
the point of a spider's leg
tugging at the seams of eyelids
trailing drying tears
over your cheek
pushing between lips that praise
and teeth that crave
the bite of a lover
the sting of fear
in the same exhale
"I love you" whispered
over the din of war
"I need you" spoken aloud
in the reverent silence of worship