when we’re bony bare-skinned
and three days deep in the forest
you, all day, reciting my name
me, the night, an offering of affection
as if
you’re my only lover
in the whole wired world
in truth, I know,
our fingertips
never’ll meet again
damp beard and charred hair
a soft-and-sharp scent from the nook next to your ribs
the river walks us downstream
hand in hand
shivering
you talk about avoiding war whilst falling into conquest
she should have known better
but you were young and hungry
as you are now
totally infatuated
and me, with life
I guide your hand over and inside
pull your neck down to my chest
in the morning, it’s easier, more delicious,
complete
you feed me peanut butter on a chopstick
and though we’ve had not two hours sleep —
I feel alive
I feel like royalty.
the beech trees bow their branches in approval
a sister kisses my feet before we leave
and the man I’d rather have held
gently presses his lips to my forehead,
not before asking if he may —
I love him.
Of course I accept.
Every atom of me loves this place.