cigarette, smoke, your fingernails write your desire in scratches down my back
i inhale you
and i own you, from the inside out, caramel on my tongue
lust, setting deep tones
and fanning embers into a fire, can you feel it
 ”yes, i feel your arms tangle into me”
and i know you are afraid
your hands pulling at the bare thread of my skin
you push me away and you pull me in, your naked skin is a confession
a secret i wish to store, deep within me
and a truth i would shout to the world
if only our lovers quarrel would let me
if only your words would echo mine, but tell me after the fire, and the skin and the touch, your fingers, mine,

can you still breathe?

a collaboration between my love, The Peony (italics) and i