My Poetry: Even Now (at arms length)

Even Now (at arms length)

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Your words cursed
as you held on to
fragmented freedom
and now,
even now,
as your head
rests on my chest
I hold you at arms length.

City street lights
cast orange shadows
your fingers twitch
but now,
even now,
with sleep’s breath
on my neck
I hold you at arms length.

Love’s irony
warns me your touch is not
a place to grow
comfortable
and now,
even now
as we spoon
I hold you at arms length

As you wake
kisses lead to bruises

as sin grows darker
and now,
even now
while I'm inside you
I keep you at arms length.

 

Pic: Stella Murray Whatley