the crooked and
mishandled alleyways
of words to whisper
have always riddled
the backstreets of my mind...

i mapped them,
longer than enough
to see the ins and outs
i've known them,
more than enough...
like the palm of my hand
or the skin on my face.

it has always been
a palimpsest
of the maze i used to
be sealing myself in—
   or perhaps seeping myself out.

there were promises,
there were poems,
and of course,
there was you.

and every single word,
or every single way,
i have always been
tongue tied and
waiting and just so
so long overdue—

stuck in the prison
of a misfortunate fate...
knowing the means
and never escaping
somehow still lost

   afraid of ever stretching ways.

'hey, long time no see—'

'happy birthday! want to talk—'

'happy new year hope we still get together!'

    everything just comes out in clicks...

    'backspace'.

I have no soul to make use of my spirit.
I have no love to make use of my body.
I have no dreams to make use of my heart.  
I have no paths to make use of my legs.
I have no depth to make use of my arms.  
I have no words to make use of my breath.
I have no gardens to make use of my nose.
I have no kitchen to make use of my tongue.
I have no thunder to make use of my ears.
I have no imagination to make use of my eyes.
I have no needles to make use of my hands.

I have no me to make use of the world.

All of my favorite kisses involve
the eruption of spilled thoughts.
The things we both know
But reassure each other, My lips
pressed against yours
A peck the furthest from my mind.
My face melts into yours pouring
a sense of urgency
A sense of need,
Your tongue lost in my breath.
Searching for another again
before the current moment is over.
Your tongue the ribbon gift wrapped
in your lips
Passionately unwrapped by the palm
of my lips gripping yours.
Inviting your body closer to mine
The best kisses printed and tasted in reassurance
My favorite kisses unable to speak, craving more
of the sound of wrapping paper
Being fondled and torn beneath us
My head twisted in yours enjoying the gift
of your kiss
The roll of gift wrap half rolled off onto my lips

I'd rather you find me on your lips
Than anywhere else.
Far away from home
Pulled over on the side of the road.
I'd rather you feel me on your lips
Two to three months later,
Still attached.
No expectations, no seat belts.
Just you & I
The keys lost some where on the floor.
My tongue wandering around
stargazing in your mouth
Somewhere under the stars
Far away from home

Timothy Tolliver Tines
Taught tax topics twenty times
Touting tax tips he tried
Till terribly tongue-tied
Twisted tongue tending to twine

I'm sorry that I can not swallow my tongue
To appease you
Gulp it whole and choke
To make you feel good

I'm sorry that my body trembles
When I think of your hands
Grasped tightly around my neck
At that point, you are in more control of me
Than I have ever been