Titanic

peel off your robe
	and white skin is exposed
	smooth
	your throat
	between your breasts
	the hollow where ribs end
	and chest becomes belly
what if I close my eyes
and try to forget you?
	the way your fingers fit through mine

Her shoulders square a little as her robe comes off,
for this is a new thing,
daring meets lust
in her pounding heart.

kiss me
	and your mouth is too soft to be real
	and I am leaning closer
	kissing harder

I see you.

impossible that I should have you,
not you
not I
not here and now
not this sinking ship

Promise me.

do you close your eyes when we kiss?
	did I forget to breathe?
	my knees bent slightly,
	my mouth
	your mouth
	of a height.

do you close your eyes when you’re drowning?


December 28th, 1997
© Lela Kaunitz