cover to cover

we scribe in triplicate

all the things

we can’t say out loud

we speak through touches

and teeth

but he doesn't bite

worse, he savours

every serrated edge

of my armour

a snake of sweat

is all that separates

his hands and the

spectres that surround me

our infatuation

rewritten as affection

and indexed under joy

transcribing my instincts

he has made me a

harlot languishing restless

for his honeyed tongue

a calligrapher of daring

moves along my spine

paints me with desire

my reckless heartsong

is rapid percussion

he sings tone circles

syncopates a connection

our bodies bound

polyrhythmic pulse

travelling unmapped desires

strike a new backbeat 

he leaves me breathless

speaking tongues with untidy

tattooed calling cards

we scribe in triplicate

all the things

we can’t say out loud

we speak through touches

and teeth