We

found

ourselves

ensnared

caught

on

the

sharp

cutting

barbs

of speech

razored

words

pierced

fleshy

hearts

at last

tearing

at the

clothes

of

reason

we

stumbled

into

this

briar

patch

not

running

away

but

running

to

Postmarked

two weeks

ago

the envelope

waits

unopened

I still hear

laughter

tears

apologies

desire

my fingers

touch

handwriting

and sense

yours

the seal

on back

felt your

tongue

as did my throat

postmarked

two weeks

ago

this

envelope

is all

I have

of

you

We sat

across

each

other

a fire

between

us

ignited

by

a sideway

glance

a wink

crooked

smile

it warmed

us ignited

us

bathed

bodies

in hues

of amber

henna

and charcoal

it grew

this flame

then

ebbed

to ash

crickets

and

slumber

There

we stood

inches together

feet apart

drawn

together

by

strings

tightening

arms

draped

like sheers

in opened

windows

floating

like mantles

sitting

foot

in

hand

toes

covered

by soft

hair brush

bristles

across

you

a pier

on one

end me

another

legs spanning

the arc

of

our

bridge

bodies

inches together

feet apart

tucked away

on a dusty

shelf

unable

to check you

out

or take you

home

I

sat

at a table

and

read

you

understood

you

spent

hours

with

you

learned from you

now

done

back to the shelf

you

go

reserved