We were wanting out loud. Butterflies

pinned to a board – twitching deep in the dark.

I would have crumbled into your hands,

had you but said yes,

had you but bared your teeth. 

We were wanting out loud. Hands,

daffodils and daisy – everything soft, 

crushed between sweaty adolescent palms.

Etching the face of Eros into tree bark,

our grimaces made of claws.

We were wanting out loud. Beneath

a new moon, your howl caressing my throat

and I riding like Lady Godiva, with the sweet taste

of doom upon my lips – like molasses –

like my name crucified in your mouth.

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Poem: © Kristiana Reed 2021

My poetry collections:

Flowers on the Wall UK

Flowers on the Wall US

Between the Trees UK

Between the Trees US

https://linktr.ee/KristianaReed