By Gala
Date: 19 April 2000

Forbidden Words

I know the words are forbidden---kinjite,
not to be spoken
not to be thought
but words are part of who I am,
and I'm not buttoned up
in such a way
that I can cooly conceal
the mash you've made of my heart.

You promised nothing,
and your look carries reproach
at my presumption.
The heart was not part of the deal---
you never promised love,
and never said a word about always.

So I'm looking around for the mason jar
where you must have hidden
that tiny, malformed little muscle
that you remove at will...
I don't play girl games.
I'm not trying to trap you
but this body you love to touch
comes complete with a beating heart
and if you would do what you will
with willing flesh
how can you not be at least curious
about the engine that drives it all?

You took a bypass---
figuring to get there quicker.
I take the scenic route,
and if it takes me longer,
if I'm endangering myself
with a road less traveled
well---let's just say
that I saw a lot more than you did,
you bloody tourist.
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