From the archive
Desire in Ten Parts
“Almighty God created sexual desire in ten parts; then gave nine parts to
women and one to men.” ~Ali ibn Abu Taleb
1
I taste the syllables of your name on my tongue
like a fine dessert I would not rush to finish
I hold them for safekeep in the dark
2
How long does it take
the sea to digest an island?
I would need such time
to scour you from memory
to brand myself free of your touch
3
I lock my fierce want
in the golden plain of my belly
keyed to your touch
hidden from my jealous father
fed by my steady heartbeat
4
In my hand the world as I draw your cheek to mine
my fingers trace truths across your cheekbone and chest
I mark you as mine to hold
5
I would trap your scent
in the dark waves of my hair
and train it to come when I called
6
My eyes love the dark
where I see you edged in velvet
only shadows challenge me for your embrace
and we hold you together
7
My bones are heavy with lust and earthy craving
for your weight crushing the air from my thirsty lungs
like a last reckoning come home
8
It is easier for my knees to pray
against hard-packed dirt
I ground myself to see
that from here you look like a god
9
When my body is sore
and my burdens are many
my small steady feet
carry me forth in love
carry me home to you
10
You never say love but you have given me all
a warm home strong sons
the strength to face new mornings
Love is the shape of your life
