Mask

it was always about your beautiful mouth

what is it about mouths, is it a sexual thing?

I could never stop looking, transfixed

especially when you pressed your lips together, tightly

as if considering a difficult question

in the search for a knowledgeable answer,

a perfect mouth, a beautiful mouth

now you choose to wear a mask

to keep you safe, and I am

forced to read your eyes,

your nakedness, ironically exposed

as you thrust your hurt into my hands

like hot pennies that I mustn’t drop

for fear of being discovered

for fear of severing the tender shred

of umbilical love,

for fear of never seeing your

beautiful mouth ever again

Published by grahamrsherwood