a kiss is not a claim
or promise
your fingers do not tattoo her
mark her yours
her fierce responsiveness
is not your doing
not alone
but part of her
herself
she will forget you
the bed, remade,
is hers again
your name will linger
no longer than smoke
from the snuffed candle
this is how you do it
and if it works for you
dear boy,
believe me,
it works very well
for her.
