Comes Alchemy 

Once, a man said, kiss me,
and I said, anything but
that nectar, petal within petal. 
And, for two decades, 
neither have I kissed you.
Everything else, yes.
Anyhow, slow, attentive rape is your way. 
But I now choose to inhale the cold,
to stare at your wide ice eyes,
then, mercy yes, not exhale.
Nothing to respect when 
dawn slithers out of her coral gown. 
No small talk or cheap cigarette.
No whispering sweet everythings. 
No shivers, tickles, tears.
The sleep of no dream: done.
the lust for my home planet 
of no sleep: done.
I am so, so weary. 
My arms reach for you, 
my very last lover. 
Place your cheek on my pillow,
on my seething cheek.
Stay with me all night.
In the apricot sunrise, 
place a treat  on my alabaster brow.
A kiss is merely orgasmic,
corporeal, fleeting.
The afterkiss, though - that is what blows warm,
those are the fingertips 
finally filmy,  that is the acrid alchemy
of honey.


Julie K. Shavin 12 09