kiss my spine
so intimate
your flaming breath
seeps through me
as if the years have made me porous

trace the silhouette
of my calloused fingers
and linger
on the ridges of my wrist
you shiver
I resist
the temptation of escape

rest your head against my own
so heavy with memories
the sinking weight
of stories never told

I taste your breath
I taste your empathy
I taste the words
you never said

I cannot keep you here with me
But I've misplaced my only key
So here we are behind the door
Locking eyes while fate's ignored

Too long I've held my tongue 'til blue
For fear that I would misconstrue
My own elusive thoughts in lieu
Of wanting just to be with you

But I was not expecting this
That love would mend what I had risked
The look upon your pallid face
Had soaked up hues of perfect grace

And open I have held my heart
You drifted in, became a part
Of this progressing work of art
Essential to our new restart

See, living is a sacrifice
And getting by will not suffice
For those who seek, as you and I
To spill themselves outside the lines