What stays with me
 

is motorcycle

slicing into night 

is sternum 

paired with spine 

is sideways stare 

is question 

masked as dare

is peppermint tea 

half-gulped

is salt & truffle, 

tongue-rough

pelt of hair 

frantic jazz of fingers  

latch of jaw 

to back of neck, sweet 

serpentine of sweat,  

the paper-throated 

buck of breath, a mesh 

of curls & wet

too many 

cigarettes

& yet, & yet 

you tighten 

to me, skin 

still slick 

from a thousand   

kisses, vows

& passionate lies

such ginger in

this startled tilt

a seasoning 

we can’t wash 

off, we recoil

from its taste 

yet crave each

famished mouthful